The dos and don'ts for Cooling-off Day and Polling day

Singapore

THE Elections Department (ELD) has issued a reminder of the dos and don'ts on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day.

Cooling-off Day falls on Thursday, the day before Polling Day. It is a day when campaigning is disallowed and election advertising must not be published or displayed.

The ELD said the 24-hour campaign-silence period is to let voters reflect rationally on various issues raised during the hustings ahead of Polling Day.

On both days, campaign activities including canvassing and visiting homes and workplaces of voters in connection with the election are prohibited.

The wearing, use, carrying or displaying of political propaganda such as a badge, symbol, set of colours, flag or placard by any person or on vehicles is also not allowed.

The ELD said the public is to refrain from wearing apparel bearing the image, election symbol and/or campaign message of any candidate.

Election meetings are also not to be held.

On the two days, the publication of election advertising in or among electors in the electoral division is prohibited, as is the display of election advertising on any vehicle, thing or structure within the electoral division or adjoining the electoral division.

There are, however, exceptions to the publication or display of election advertising on those two days:

Reports in newspapers, on radio and television relating to election matters, as well as Party Political Broadcasts scheduled from 9pm on Cooling-off Day are allowed.

Posters or banners that have been approved and lawfully displayed before the start of Cooling-off Day are also an exception.

Election advertising lawfully displayed or published on the Internet before the start of Cooling-off Day and that has not been changed after its publication or display is allowed. Programmatic advertising, such as that which uses technology to automatically deliver digital ads online and on social media platforms, however, should not be carried out on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day, said the ELD.

The distribution or promotion of the sale of any book which was scheduled for publication independent of the election and not sold at less than its commercial value will be allowed.

Also exempted would be the transmission of personal political views on a non-commercial basis, via the Internet, telephone or electronic means, as well as the wearing of a badge indicating political affiliation by candidates.

The publication of election surveys and exit polls are prohibited before the close of all polling stations.

On Friday, polling stations in Singapore will be open from 8am to 8pm.

Voters are reminded to bring their original NRIC/passport and poll card to the polling station to cast their vote.

They will have to mark their choice with a cross ("X") on the ballot paper in the space provided on the right hand side of the ballot paper, opposite the name of the candidate or, if the electoral division is a group representation constituency, the names of the group of candidates.

After indicating their choice, voters are to fold the ballot paper and put it into the ballot box before leaving the polling station.

The ELD said voters may wish to avoid going to the polling station during the morning peak period, when the wait tends to be longer.

No camera, video or photographic equipment is allowed in the polling station.

For more information on the do's and don'ts on Polling Day, voters may visit the ELD's website.

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