Indian Origin Candidate Qualifies To Contest Singapore Presidential Election

SINGAPORE, (IANS) – Former minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and two others have been issued the certificates of eligibility for Singapore‘s presidential election slated to take place on September 1, the Elections Department said in a statement on August 18.

At the close of applications for a Certificate of Eligibility on August 17, the Presidential Elections Committee received a total of six applications.

Out of these, the PEC qualified 66-year-old Tharman, former GIC investment chief Ng Kok Song, 75, and former National Trades Union Congress Income chief Tan Kin Lian, 75.

The committee, headed by Public Service Commission chairman Lee Tzu Yang and two Supreme Court judges, found that all three men were of integrity, good character, and reputation.

Tharman formally launched his presidential campaign last month with a pledge to evolve the country’s culture. In Singapore, candidates must apply for the Certificate of Eligibility if they wish to enter the presidential contest. It is given to those who meet public or private sector requirements, among other criteria.

In addition, there is a community declaration, which allows candidates to declare if they are from the Chinese, Malay, Indian or “Other Minority” communities.

The ELD said it has notified all individuals of the outcome of their applications and told the unsuccessful applicants the reasons for rejecting them.

Tharman announced his intent to run in the city-state’s presidential election in June, after being in active politics for 22 years.

Prior to joining politics, Tharman was an economist and a civil servant at the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Singapore will hold its first Presidential Election since 2011, after the eighth and first female president, Halimah Yacob, announced this year that she will not seek a second term.