Maximum spending limit for each voter raised: Elections Department
Voters during the 2011 GE. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — The maximum spending limit for every voter on the register of electors for an electoral division will be raised by 50 cents to S$4, said the Elections Department today (Aug 20).
This is to account for inflation, said the ELD in a statement as it announced revisions as “part of ongoing efforts to update and enhance election processes”.
The law imposes a ceiling on spending so as to ensure a level playing field. The Parliamentary Election Expenses refer to expenses incurred before, during or after the election on account of or in respect to the conduct or management of the election of the candidate. It is illegal to spend more than the maximum amount allowed.
Other announcements by the ELD:
- Ballot paper to include candidates’ photos
Photos: Government Gazette
Candidates’ photos will be included in the ballot papers for the next General Election, so as to make it easier for voters, especially the elderly, to identify candidates, said the ELD. The new ballot papers will be larger to accommodate the photos.
Candidates’ photos on the ballot papers were introduced for the first time at the 2011 Presidential Election, garnering generally positive public feedback, said the ELD.
Other format changes to help voters mark their choices clearly include white boxes against a darkened background, and wider gaps between the boxes to mark
‘X’ to prevent voters from marking across boxes of different rows. Details of the format changes will be made known closer to Polling Day.
- Earlier notice on maximum number of posters and banners allowed in electoral divisions
The ELD has published in advance on its website the formulae to compute the maximum number of posters and banners that can be displayed for each electoral division.
In past elections, candidates were given the maximum numbers after the close of nomination proceedings on Nomination Day. The change is to facilitate candidates’ planning, said the ELD.
- Closer placement of posters and banners to polling stations
Under present rules, candidates are not allowed to display posters and banners within a 200m radius from a polling station to minimise undue influence on voters. This will be reduced to 50m.
“As there has been a significant increase in the number of polling stations to improve voter accessibility, the current 200-metre prohibition zone has resulted in limited areas for the legitimate display of posters and banners, especially in built-up residential estates,” said the ELD.
- Appointment of the Malay Community Committee and Indian & Other Minority Communities Committee
Groups intending to contest in a GRC will require at least one candidate from either the Malay community, or the Indian and other minority communities. The will have to produce a Certificate of the Malay Community Committee or a Certificate of the Indian and Other Minority Communities Committee to the Returning Officer on Nomination Day, said the ELD.
This is in addition to the nomination paper and Political Donation Certificate.
