GE2025: Dos and don’ts on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day | Singapore Breaking News & Latest Updates

GE2025: Dos and don’ts on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day — Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE –The Elections Department (ELD) is encouraging voters to consider casting their votes in the afternoon on Pol...

Follow our live coverage here.

SINGAPORE –The Elections Department (ELD) is encouraging voters to consider casting their votes in the afternoon on Polling Day to avoid long queues in the morning.

Singaporeansgo to the polls on May 3.Voting takes place from8am to 8pm.

In an advisory onMay 1, the ELD said voters may check their polling station’s queue status by scanning the QR code on their poll card before heading for their voting centre.

It also reminded voters to refrain from wearing any attire or carrying with them any item with images that may be interpreted as influencing other voters or canvassing support for any particular political party, candidate or groups of candidates to the polling station.

“If they do so, they may be turned away by election officials at the polling stations,” added ELD.

Examples of these items include but are not limited to attire, bags, water bottles, fans or badges with prints on them that are identical to or closely resemble a political party or candidate’s allotted symbol, or bear words that may be interpreted as showing support for a political party, candidate or group of candidates.

Carrying objects or soft toys that are identical to, closely resemble or associated with a political party or candidate’s symbol and are likely to be associated with a candidate by the public may also result in a voter being turned away by election officials.

Voters are reminded to bring along their original NRIC or passport and poll card for voting. Otherwise, they can present their digital NRIC and ePoll card on the Singpass app.

ELD said voters are encouraged to use the self-inking “X” stamps provided at the polling booths.

However, they may use their own pens to mark “X” in the demarcated area to indicate their choice of candidate or group of candidates on their ballot papers, ELD added.

In a separate statement, the police urged voters to walk or take public transport to their respective polling stations.

Vehicles found parking indiscriminately or causing obstruction will be issued with a summons and may be towed away.

For those who require special assistance, the police said there will be specific drop-off points at all polling stations for vehicles transporting those who are sick, frail or have disabilities. It added that those driving can approach the election officials for assistance and direction.

“Priority queues and wheelchairs are also available for their use if required,” ELD said.

The police advised voters to not loiter in the vicinity of polling stations after they have cast their votes.

Voters are reminded to stay vigilant and call the police on 999 immediately should they spot any person wearing unusual attire or acting suspiciously, or leaving items like bags and parcels unattended.

“Where possible, they should also alert the election officials at nearby polling stations,” the police said, adding that they will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone who attempts to disrupt or interfere with the polling process.

Candidates and political parties are reminded to refrain from campaigning on May 2, which isCooling-off Day.

The period of campaign silence begins at the start of May 2, after midnight, and ends after the polls close on Polling Day, May 3.

This period is traditionally given to voters to afford them time and space to reflect on issues raised during the campaign period, before casting their votes.

During the cooling-off period, campaigning is banned and new election advertising must not be publicly displayed or published, said ELD.

Publication of election surveys and exit polls at any time during the election period is also prohibited.

Campaigning activities and election advertising prohibited during the cooling-off period include publishing and displaying election advertising that is not already lawfully displayed or published, and sharing, resharing, reposting or boosting online election advertising.

Candidates and their supporters are not allowed to canvass, do walkabouts, conduct door-to-door visits, or visit homes and workplaces of voters in connection with the election, said ELD, adding that holding rallies, e-rallies and other livestreams is also prohibited.

In addition, they are not allowed to wear, use, carry or display campaign propaganda materials. Only the candidate is allowed to wear a replica of the symbol allotted to him, added ELD.

Exceptions to the prohibition on election advertising during the cooling-off period include newspaper, radio and television reports about election matters.

In addition, approved traditional election advertising materials that were already up and not relocated, altered or modified since the start ofMay 2,as well as lawful online election advertising materials that were already in place before the start of Cooling-off Day, are part of the exception.

Individuals can continue to share election-related content within a private chat or closed group with family or a small group of friends during this cooling-off period.

The ELD reminded candidates and their supporters to be mindful of how they conduct themselves in public and exercise due care to avoid any action that may be perceived as campaigning.

“Candidates should therefore refrain from making home visits or attending public events where they are likely to attract public attention and may be perceived to be canvassing for support,” said ELD, adding that candidates may continue to attend religious ceremonies or worship services, meetings or other functions in the course of work or employment as long as they observe the general prohibitions during the cooling-off period.

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