THE Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) has clarified that it was not aware of presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian’s social media posts describing his encounters with “pretty girls” in Singapore, mainly on buses and at Aperia Mall.

Granting a certificate of eligibility to the 75-year-old former NTUC Income chief therefore could not have amounted to an endorsement of his social media posts, it said on Monday (Aug 21) night.

The PEC was responding to media queries after a TikTok video, which featured screenshots of several Facebook posts in which Tan mentioned these “pretty girls”, made its rounds.

Tan himself addressed the posts on Monday, telling reporters that only “a very small minority” find such posts “uncomfortable”, and that “most people find them enjoyable”.

Later in the day, the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) voiced concerns over Tan’s participation, citing his “history of objectifying women” based on the Facebook posts.

Aware also spoke of a “systemic worry” in the granting of a certificate of eligibility to such a person. It “signifies that these views and behaviours are not just acceptable, but perhaps even agreeable enough for a potential presidency”, its statement read.

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The PEC’s response noted that the committee does not go through every applicant’s past social media posts before issuing a certificate of eligibility or declining to grant one.

Where comments made by an applicant on social media or in other media are specifically brought to its attention before a certificate of eligibility is issued or declined, the PEC would consider them in its assessment of the applicant’s eligibility, it pointed out.

However, after the PEC has issued the certificate, it is “not legally entitled” to revisit its earlier decision, so as to confirm or revoke the issued certificate, it stated.

Nevertheless, it said any additional facts regarding a candidate which come to public attention after the candidate’s certificate has been issued, would be for the electorate’s consideration and assessment before casting their votes.

Singaporeans will cast their votes in the Presidential Election on Sep 1.