GE 2015 to take place on a Friday
Polling day will take place on a Friday
Singapore will go to the polls on Friday, Sept 11.
It will be a public holiday.
Voters will elect the 89 people who will form the 13th Parliament.
In a series of announcements yesterday afternoon, Parliament was dissolved and the nomination date was announced as Sept 1.
The much-anticipated polling day date was also released - expectations had been high ever since the electoral boundaries report was released on July 24.
While there were surprised reactions on social media about the Friday polling date - the last few general elections had always been on a Saturday - this is not the first time that it is taking place on a weekday.
Previous cases of Polling Day falling on a weekday happened on Jan 2, 1997, a Thursday, and Dec 23, 1980, a Tuesday.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong earlier this month framed the upcoming GE as one that will strengthen the "fourth generation of leaders".
PM Lee also wrote on Facebook yesterday afternoon: "I called this General Election to seek your mandate to take Singapore beyond SG50 into its next half century."
THIRD TIME
Mr Lee, the People's Action Party (PAP) secretary-general, is leading his team into battle for the third time as PM.
The ruling PAP started introducing its candidates on Aug 12, kicking off with the team for Bishan-Toa Payoh group representation constituencies (GRC).
Since early August, all 10 political parties have been ramping up their walkabouts.
All 16 GRCs and 13 single member constituencies are expected to be contested.
The Workers' Party is likely to field its largest slate since 1988.
Its chairman, Ms Sylvia Lim, had announced earlier that the party's seven MPs will be staying put to defend their respective constituencies.
Opposition parties such as the Singapore Democratic Party announced two new faces yesterday afternoon.
Opposition veteran Chiam See Tong's Singapore People's Party has also unveiled some candidates.
There will be nine days of campaigning from Sept 1, followed by Cooling-off Day on Sept 10.
This is the 24-hour period when all political parties are prohibited by law from campaigning, to allow voters to reflect on the issues raised.
Taking S'pore into next 50 years
Here is what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong posted on Facebook just after 4pm yesterday:
"I called the General Election to seek your mandate to take Singapore beyond SG50, into its next half century".
"You will be deciding who will govern Singapore for the next five years. More than that, you will be choosing the team to work with you for the next 15-20 years, and setting the direction for Singapore for the next 50 years.
"What we have achieved together in Singapore is special. Here, many races live in peace and many from humble homes make good.
"We will surely meet challenges ahead, but whatever the world throws at us, as one people, we will overcome.
"If you are proud of what we have achieved together, and support what we want to do for our future, please support me and my team.
"We have to do it with you, in order to do it for you, and for Singapore.
"Together, we can keep Singapore special for many years to come. - LHL"
Facts about GE 2015
FACTS ABOUT GE 2015
- It takes place on Friday, unlike in 2011, 2006 and 2001.
- Maximum spending limit has been raised from $3.50 to $4 for every voter on the register of electors in the electoral division that a candidate is contesting.
- The ballot paper will include candidates' photos this year.
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