Ng Kok Song, Tharman and Tan Kin Lian arrive at nomination centre in bid for presidency

Live from Nomination Day: Follow updates from ST live blog

SINGAPORE – All three presidential hopefuls arrived at the nomination centre at the People’s Association (PA) headquarters in Jalan Besar ahead of the noon deadline.

Former GIC investment chief Ng Kok Song, 75, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, and former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian, 75, were spotted entering the premises, where they would submit their nomination papers and other documents.

By about 11.40am, all three had submitted their nomination papers, which were put up on notice boards inside the PA headquarters.

Returning Officer Tan Meng Dui was to announce either at noon or 12.30pm the successful candidate or candidates.

If there is a contest, once the candidates are officially announced, they can begin campaigning. 

Campaigning will end on Aug 30,

with Cooling-off Day on Aug 31 and Polling Day on Sept 1.

If there is no contest, the Returning Officer will announce the sole candidate as Singapore’s president-elect.

Hundreds of supporters had gathered in a field at the PA headquarters, filling up the area designated to them. They began streaming in from 10am, when they were allowed into the area.

They came undeterred by the searing heat, many prepared with handheld fans, sunglasses and umbrellas to wait until their candidate was slated to come out and speak once the nominations were confirmed.

Others sought shade where they could, under large white tents that had been set up in advance.

Among those who reached the nomination centre even before the doors opened was Mr Jonathan Soh, 41, who arrived at 8.50am.

A supporter of Mr Tan Kin Lian, the information technology manager felt the presidential election was a time for “renewal” and “new leadership”.

Large groups of Mr Tharman’s supporters arrived by bus shortly after 10am, washing the field in a sea of maroon as they came decked in matching shirts.

Members of his campaign team were spotted handing out Team Tharman badges to supporters. They began chanting his name as he arrived.

One of Mr Tharman’s supporters, trainer Palanisamy Avadai, 72, said the former senior minister was instrumental in having a ramp to his Housing Board flat installed.

“He’s very impressive to me as he has helped a lot of people – the elderly and the disabled. Whatever problem we raised to him, he has helped us,” added Mr Palanisamy, a wheelchair user.

Retiree Michael Khoo, 75, said he had been friends for 30 years with Mr Ng as he used to work in a fund management firm while Mr Ng was with GIC.

He said he would help Mr Ng in his campaign by accompanying him on walkabouts and distributing pamphlets.

Mr Vince Tan said he considered Mr Ng “quite a strong competitor” and Mr Tharman as someone of the calibre to represent Singapore internationally.

“(The president) will be representing Singapore. We must have someone of the proper calibre to represent the country,” said the 42-year-old, who works in sales.

Building contractor Teo Jing Jong said he believes Mr Ng is the most capable choice.

“I sincerely believe he wants to do something for Singapore, for our nation and for our citizens,” said the 49-year-old.

Ms Jenny Toh, who was at the PA headquarters with Mr Tharman’s calligraphy group of about 10 people, said she was confident of his chances.

“Over the years I’ve seen his speeches in international arenas and press… He’s really wonderful,” she said.

Some known opposition politicians were also spotted in the crowd, having turned up to throw their support behind Mr Tan.

They included Democratic Progressive Party secretary-general Mohamad Hamim Aliyas, former Singapore Democratic Party chairman Mohamed Jufrie Mahmood, and People’s Power Party secretary-general Goh Meng Seng.

Tuesday’s proceedings kick off a long-awaited presidential election for Singaporeans. The presidential election is called about once every six years.

Apart from ardent supporters, it also drew the interest of some neutral voters, who turned up at Jalan Besar for a quick look.

Among them was a 60-year-old retiree, who wanted to be known only as Mr Chu. He had been working overseas as a business executive, and returned to Singapore several years ago.

Mr Chu said he wanted to experience what a presidential election was like.

“I’m here, just impartial, looking at how things will work here,” he said.