GE2020 is the first election to be held during a pandemic with public health concerns and safe distancing measures.
This is also an election where there are no walkovers – all 93 constituencies are contested. This means that all eligible voters in Singapore are expected to vote on Friday, 10 July.
Here is what you need to know as voters in GE2020.
Read Also: 5 Things Singaporeans Need To Know About GE2020 Nomination Day Results
Before Polling Day (Before Friday, 10 July)
Eligible voters should have received their polling card in the mail before Polling Day, Friday, 10 July.
If you are eligible but have not received your polling card, you can print out the ePoll card online via the Services provided on this website using SingPass, or seek over-the-counter assistance at a community centre/club or the Elections Department to print out the ePoll card.
Eligible voters can check their polling station and their time slot at this website by entering their NRIC.
Note: The Register of Electors is based on qualified voters as of 1 March 2020. If you were not registered, you are not eligible to vote in this election. Instead, you may apply to restore your name to the Register of Electors for the next election.
For Overseas Voters: If you have registered as an overseas voter, you may cast your vote at one of the ten overseas polling stations. Besides the overseas polling station that is allotted to you, you will also be allotted a polling station in Singapore, where you can go to cast his vote if you are back in Singapore on Polling Day.
The ten overseas polling stations are located in Singapore’s consulates, embassies or high commissions in Australia (Canberra), China (Beijing), China (Shanghai), Hong Kong, Japan (Tokyo), United Arab Emirates (Dubai), United Kingdom (London), United States of America (New York), United States of America (San Francisco) and United States of America (Washington D.C.).
Cooling Day (Thursday, 9 July)
The day before Polling Day is Cooling Day. This is a day for voters to reflect on whom to vote for. Candidates and their supporters are not allowed to campaign on both Cooling Day and Polling Day.
According to the Elections Department (ELD), people should refrain from wearing clothes with the image, election symbol or campaign message of any candidate. Candidates can wear their party’s badge.
Party political broadcasts on television, reports in the newspapers, on radio and television relating to election matters, approved posters and banners that were already up, and lawful Internet advertising that was already in place before the start of Cooling-off Day are allowed.
It is all right for people to talk about their personal political views with others, from an individual to another individual, as long as it is on a non-commercial basis.
Polling Day (Friday, 10 July)
As GE2020 is taking place during COVID-19 pandemic, there are new measures introduced to ensure the safety and health of voters:
- Wearing of masks. You are only allowed to lower your mask for verification of identity
- One metre safe distance from others
- Provision of hand sanitiser and disposable gloves to handle your ballot paper
- You do not need to use SafeEntry to enter the polling stations
- Allocated time-band for voting
To reduce congestion at the polling station, voters are encouraged to check the queue status using VoteQ before going to vote.
You will need to bring your 1) NRIC or passport for identity verification and your 2) Polling Card. You may bring your own pen to mark the ballot paper or use the pens provided at the polling station. You should also be wearing your mask at all times.
You are not allowed to publish any election surveys or exit polls before the close of all polling stations.
Voting For Seniors:
Voters aged 65 and above are allocated time-bands in the morning (8am to 12pm) to minimise interactions with other voters. One family member voting at the same polling station may accompany the senior voter.
If the senior voter is unable to vote during the morning, they may vote in the afternoon and the election officials will give them priority and assist them if necessary.
Voters With Caregivers:
One caregiver, who must be a valid voter at the same polling station, will be allowed to wait in the priority queue with the voter in a wheelchair. If help is needed with voting, the Election Officials will guide the disabled voter through the entire voting process.
The caregiver will proceed to cast his vote separately from the disabled voter and meet him at the exit. A person who is not eligible to vote at the polling station is not allowed to enter the polling station.
If You Cannot Vote During The Allocated Time-Band:
For seniors who are unable to make it during your allocated time-band, you can vote anytime from 12pm to the close of the poll at 8pm on 10 July 2020. However, you may have to wait longer to vote. Do make an effort to keep to your allocated time-band to help prevent crowding.
Do note that while every voter has a recommended time band to vote, you are technically allowed to vote anytime from 8am to 8pm.
If You Are Unwell Or Hospitalised Or Under Stay Home Notice (SHN):
If you are hospitalised, feeling unwell on polling day or under SHN, it is a valid reason not to vote.
For those who are hospitalised or unwell on polling day, you may apply to restore your name to the Register of Elections after polling day. Voting must be done in person and you cannot assign someone else to vote on your behalf.
If your temperature is higher than 37.5°C or feeling unwell or you are under SHN at home and you still wish to vote, you may vote at the special allocated time-band of 7 pm to 8 pm. During this hour, election officials will be taking special precautions such as donning full personal protective equipment and sanitising polling equipment and contact surfaces after every voter’s use.
If you are under SHN at designated facilities, there will be designated facilities for voting, away from other voters. Voters under SHN will have their names automatically restored to the Register of Electors if they do not vote in this election as ELD has their records.
If You Are On Quarantine Order (QO) Or Are A COVID-19 Patient:
COVID-19 patients and voters who are on QO for COVID-19 will not be allowed to vote. As ELD has these records, their names will be automatically restored to the Register of Electors for the next election.
Diagram from ELD
With COVID-19 around, we all need to take the necessary health and safety precautions and follow the guidelines issued by ELD. Every vote matters, so do your part for Singapore and cast your vote wisely.
Continue To Follow Our GE2020 Coverage
Until Thursday, 9 July, DollarsAndSense will continue to cover GE2020 related topics. You can continue to stay updated with our articles on the GE2020 page. Mobile users can keep in touch with us through the DollarsAndSense Telegram Group.
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