GE2025: Dos and don’ts on Polling Day
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Polling stations across Singapore will open at 8am and close at 8pm on Polling Day.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE – Come May 3, Singapore’s 2.75 million voters will cast their votes for the nation’s future leadership.
Polling Day has been declared a public holiday
This is part of a series of explainers and listicles The Straits Times has put together ahead of the polls.
For those heading to the polls, here is what you need to know.
Do vote in person
You must vote in person, and only at the polling station stated on your poll card or ePoll card. You cannot appoint a proxy to cast a vote on your behalf.
Voters should have received their poll cards by post two to three working days after Nomination Day on April 23, if their constituency is being contested. The cards would have been sent to the latest residential address registered with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Voters can also access their ePoll card via the Singpass mobile app, which can be used in place of the physical copy.
Eligible voters who do not vote will have their names removed from the Registers of Electors, but can apply to have their names restored after the election.
Do bring your poll card or ePoll card and proof of identity
Bring your poll card and original identification documents – such as your NRIC or passport – to the polling station. Photocopies are not accepted.
You can also use the Singpass mobile app to access your ePoll card and use it in lieu of the hard-copy poll card.
Do travel light and mind what you wear
You should travel light to the polling station, as any bag you carry may undergo security checks. Cameras and other photographic equipment are not allowed at polling stations. Alcohol and sharp objects are also forbidden.
Pets (except guide dogs) and children are also not allowed into the polling centre.
There is no dress code for voters, but you should avoid bringing material or wearing any attire or badge that shows a political party’s or candidate’s symbol. The law prohibits canvassing and all forms of election activity on Polling Day, except voting.
Do mark your choice with an X on the ballot paper
ST20250306_202540200862 Kua Chee Siong/ pixeld/ A voter using the self-inking X-stamp provided to mark the ballot paper, at the ELD Training Centre located in Novena Rise, on Mar 6, 2025. A media briefing of the election process and interviews with two of Election Officials (EOs) as part of ELD's efforts on voter education at the ELD Training Centre.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Clearly mark your choice with an X on the ballot paper, fold it inwards and drop the folded ballot paper into the ballot box. Do not put anything else into the ballot box.
Do take note that it is an offence to leave the polling station with the ballot paper.
If you leave any signature or make any other identifying mark on your ballot paper, your vote will not be counted.
Don’t damage, alter or write on your poll card
If the name or address on your poll card is incorrect, do not try to change the information. Instead, call ELD or visit any community centre or club to get another poll card.
If there is an error in the name on your poll card, you can still head to the designated polling station on Polling Day to cast your vote.
Bring your poll card or ePoll card to facilitate checks by the election official. This will help to shorten your waiting time at the polling station.
Don’t help another person to vote
Impersonating another voter is an offence.
There will be election officers on hand at every polling station to assist voters who need help – for example, those with special needs or the elderly.
If voters are unable to mark the ballot paper themselves, they can seek help from election officials, who will mark the ballot paper in the manner directed by the voter and are under oath to keep the voter’s choice secret.
For visually impaired voters, stencils are provided at polling stations so that they are able to mark the ballot paper without assistance.
For those with mobility issues, there are special vehicle drop-off points near the voting areas at polling stations.
Voting areas are barrier-free, and wheelchairs are provided for voters who require them. Within the voting area, these voters are offered priority queueing for the issuance of ballot papers.
Don’t try to find out how another has voted or intends to vote
Your vote is secret
