10 FAQs About Voting in S’pore Answered & Simplified For You

The elections are fast approaching and I bet each and every one of you have burning questions to ask.

“Who can vote overseas?”

“What happens if I don’t vote?”

“Will my Aunt Matilda finally get a boyfriend this election year 2020?”

Well, the government has heard you. Telepathically.

In anticipation of all the questions and queries that are sure to come their way, the Elections Department of Singapore has taken the initiative to list an entire plethora of FAQs on their website just so that you, the voter, will understand more about the whole voting process.

“Wow… so your Aunt Matilda will finally get a boyfriend?”

Alas, it seems that even the Elections Department of Singapore does not have the answer to that.

Voter FAQs

Having dedicated an entire page to FAQs, the Elections Department of Singapore has made doubly sure to ensure a platform where everyone can have their questions and concerns addressed.

The page is split into three categories: Voting in Singapore, Overseas voting and Registers of Electors. These are then broken down into multiple sub-categories, which lead to many more sample questions, and finally the answers you’re looking for.

Some Interesting Questions Answered:

“Why is Internet voting not introduced in Singapore?”

After all, it’s Covid-19 and everything’s going online, right? Well, there are two main reasons why they’re not doing it:

• The system could get hacked, especially with so many people in Singapore going into dubious sites and getting their computers infected
• And two, they can’t ensure that it’s you who voted with your account; what if you help your parents vote and decide to go for the opposition just for fun?

For a more detailed answer, you might want to check out this article here.

“What if I will be away on Polling Day?”

That’s an interesting question to ask because nobody’s away at this moment. #Covid19

But, if you happen to be away, your name will be removed from the Registers of Electors after the election.

You can apply to have it put back using your SingPass. Don’t worry, being overseas is a valid reason.

So, where are you going and do you have room in your luggage for one?

“Are senior voters protected?”

Previously, it was mentioned that seniors will be allocated hours in the morning to keep them separated from the younger ones.

Yes, for all the young people out there, you can only vote in the afternoon this time, wasting most of your public holiday away.

If an elderly can only vote in the afternoon, he or she will be better protected at the polling station than Trump when he’s playing golf.

“Why is my name shouted out and marked down during polling?”

90% of Singaporeans out there probably have this question on their minds. The remaining 10% believes that it’s PAP’s way of telling you, I know who you vote for and if I’m still the head honcho, I might just come for you.

Turns out, it’s something required by law so courts can check for fake votes if the need for investigation arises.

Doesn’t do much to alleviate our worries about voting for other people but, hey, at least it’s for a valid reason, right?

There are also question examples catered to overseas voters:

“I just moved to country X but have not registered myself as an overseas voter. Can I still vote at the overseas polling station?”

If you’re asking this question and you still haven’t settled down yet, I can only say one thing to you:

“What a patriotic guy. What are you doing overseas again?”

Now, continue to be patriotic and go through the hassle of registering yourself before you can vote.

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“Can my family member vote on my behalf in Singapore, as I am residing overseas?”

No. Why are you even asking?

And of course, the dreaded SingPass password will almost always come into the equation.

“If I have forgotten my SingPass password, what should I do?”

Cry.

Just kidding. For that, you’d probably want to go straight to SingPass’s website to reset your password.

Other prominent (and useful) question examples include:

“What is VoteQ?”

Basically, just go to this website and you can see the number of people queuing at your particular polling station.

Too many people, just stay home first. Very empty? Chiong out right now, even if you’re just wearing thongs. Just make sure to wear your mask because that’s more unforgivable than not wearing clothes right now.

“Will I be penalised if I do not vote because I am unwell?”

No, not when they’re telling doctors to give 5-day MCs for coughs just to be on the safe side.

You can just apply to have your name placed back on the Registers of Electors after the entire show-and-tell is over.

Just make sure to have proof that you are unwell lah (although they didn’t ask for it). After all, it can be pretty awkward trying to explain to the authorities why you didn’t see a doctor during this unstable climate, no?

“Why do I have to make a cross instead of a tick?”

Remember how many votes were made invalid during a certain election back then because people crossed out of the box, ticked and more?

Yeah. So why not a tick?

Turns out, the answer is: we’ve been doing it like this for so many years.

As well as other varied instances:

“Has a ballot box ever been lost or destroyed?”

“What if I am expected to give birth on Polling Day?”

You can view all the answers here.

You can also opt to listen to all the FAQs in mother tongues and dialects here.

Covering All Grounds

In light of current circumstances, it’s reasonable to assume that concerns will be aplenty. And so, it’s heartening to see that they’ve added an entire section on voting safely amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, one should take note that the FAQs merely serve as a guideline; it’s impossible to cover all grounds after all. And so, should you have any concern that might not be on the list, you can contact their hotline at:

• 1800-CALL-ELD (1800-225-5353)
• +65 6225 5353 (If you’re from overseas)

To check your voting status or perform other voting-related transactions, you can head down to their Voter Services.

With that said, stay safe, stay healthy…

And let’s have a fruitful and smooth voting procession ahead.

Reader Bao: Gotta go practise my crosses.

I didn’t know you were so patriotic, BaoBaoMan

Reader Bao: You got to do what you got to do, man. What if I accidentally submit a valid vote?

There’s something wrong somewhere in what you just said.

Reader Bao: Really? I thought everyone did that.

…

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