SINGAPORE - Singaporeans can check if they are eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election from Tuesday (June 20), the Elections Department (ELD) said.

The ELD, which has completed its update of the register of electors, will put it up for public inspection from June 20 to July 3.

This takes Singapore one step closer to the September presidential election, which is reserved for Malay candidates after Parliament approved a change to the Constitution last year to ensure minority representation in the highest office in the land.

Those in Singapore who want to check their eligibility to vote can do so on the ELD website (www.eld.gov.sg), at community centres or clubs, and at the ELD office in Bras Basah, said the ELD in a statement on Monday (June19).

Singaporeans who are overseas can check the voter rolls at Singapore overseas missions that serve as registration centres.

Whether in Singapore or overseas, people will need to bring along their NRIC or passport.

During this two-week inspection period, Singaporeans can submit a claim to be included in the register if their names have been omitted or to update their particulars.

They can also submit an objection to have their names removed from the register.

These claims and objections can be submitted on the ELD website using SingPass.

The ELD said those who were removed from the registers of electors for failing to vote at a past election can apply to have their names restored, so they can vote at future elections.

It encouraged such voters to make their applications early.

At the start of this month, applications opened for aspiring candidates for the presidential election.

So far, two people - Second Chance Properties chief executive Mohamed Salleh Marican, 67; and Mr Farid Khan, 62, chairman of marine service provider Bourbon Offshore Asia Pacific - have collected application forms.

The last day to submit application forms to stand for election is five days after the issue of the Writ of Election, expected to be shortly after the National Day Rally on Aug 20.

Any person who meets the following qualifying criteria as of June 1 should have his or her name included in the register of electors:

- is a Singapore citizen;

- is aged 21 or above;

- is not disqualified from being an elector under any current law;

- has a Singapore residential address on his or her NRIC; or a local voting address for those living overseas.