SINGAPORE - Singaporeans will go to the polls on Sept 1, if more than one person qualifies to run for the presidency.

They will know if they get to cast their vote or if the election will be a walkover on Nomination Day, which will be on Aug 22.

The Presidential Elections Committee must screen all presidential hopefuls and inform them of its decision by the day before Nomination Day.

If there is only one eligible candidate, he or she will be declared the president on Nomination Day.

The details were given in a press release by the Elections Department (ELD) on Friday, announcing that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had issued the Writ of Election.

Polling Day will be declared a public holiday.

The nomination of candidates will take place at the auditorium of the People’s Association (PA) at 9 King George’s Avenue.

The returning officer will be Mr Tan Meng Dui, the chief executive of the Housing Board.

In a Facebook post on Friday, PM Lee wrote that a few individuals have already stepped forward and made known their intention to run for the presidency.

“The media have widely reported on them, and I’m sure we will hear more from the candidates themselves during the campaign period,” he said.

“The President represents all Singaporeans, and stands as a symbol of our unity and aspirations. Listen to what each candidate has to say, and assess them and their views carefully. I hope everyone will vote wisely for the best candidate for this important role.”

So far, there are four presidential hopefuls: Former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66; entrepreneur George Goh, 63; former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song, 75; and former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian, 75.

Incumbent President Halimah Yacob has said that she will not be standing for re-election.

Mr Tharman launched his bid for the presidency on July 26.

Mr Goh submitted his forms last Friday, and Mr Ng earlier last week.

Mr Tan launched his presidential bid on Friday.

Candidates must apply for a certificate of eligibility, as well as a community certificate. Applications for these two certificates will close on Aug 17.

Additionally, they must get a political donation certificate from the ELD and applications will close on Aug 18.

Candidates interested in running for the presidency have been able to collect forms from the ELD or download them from its website since June 13.

On Nomination Day, candidates will have to take along the nomination papers, with their signature as well as those of their proposer, seconder and at least four assenters who must be registered voters.

The nomination papers, as well as the certificates, will have to be delivered to the returning officer at the PA headquarters between 11am and noon on Nomination Day. There is also a form for candidates to voluntarily undertake that they will conduct their election campaign in a manner that is dignified, decorous and consistent with the president’s position as the head of state and the symbol of national unity.

Signed undertakings will be put up on the notice board, together with nomination papers and certificates, during nomination proceedings on Nomination Day.

The deposit payable by each candidate is $40,500.

ELD also said that prospective candidates are encouraged to use the digital services on its website to prepare their nomination papers.

The candidate services on the website provide an auto-check function to help candidates ascertain that the names of the proposer, seconder and assenters entered into the nomination paper are in the current Registers of Electors.

In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Education and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) said that the Teachers’ Day school holiday previously scheduled for Sept 1 would be moved to Sept 11.

This is to provide certainty for schools and students in making their plans, regardless of whether there is a need for Polling Day.

N levels that had been scheduled on Sept 11 would be shifted to Sept 12 and Sept 20, to provide certainty for candidates preparing for the examinations.

Schools and SEAB will reach out to inform all affected examination candidates.

These exams include written papers for subjects such as social studies, geography, English literature and history, and listening comprehension exams for English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

Election countdown

• Aug 11: Writ of Election issued

• Aug 17: Deadline for candidates to submit applications for certificate of eligibility and community certificate

• Aug 18: Deadline for candidates to submit applications for political donation certificate

• By Aug 21: Contenders will be notified of the outcome of their applications before Nomination Day

• Aug 22: Nomination Day. Candidates will file their nomination papers at the People’s Association headquarters at 9 King George’s Avenue. Each must place a deposit of $40,500. If there is only one candidate, that person will be declared president.

• Aug 22 to Aug 30: Campaign period

• Aug 31: Cooling-off Day

• Sept 1: Polling Day, a public holiday