SINGAPORE: Campaigning for this year's General Election will come to a halt on Friday (May 2), designated as Cooling-off Day, with a strict blackout on all electioneering activities and new political advertising until the close of polls on Saturday.

In a media release on Thursday, the Elections Department (ELD) also advised both candidates and voters to refrain from any conduct that could be seen as campaigning during the period.

This "provides time and space for voters to reflect rationally on issues raised during the election campaign before going to the polls".  

"During the cooling-off period, campaigning is banned and new election advertising must not be publicly displayed or published," said ELD.

This prohibition includes publishing and displaying election advertising that is not already lawfully displayed or published, as well as sharing, resharing, reposting or boosting of online election advertising.

Publishing election surveys and exit polls is also strictly prohibited at any time during the election, the department added.

Election advertising refers to any information that can reasonably be regarded as intended to promote, support, or prejudice the electoral success of a candidate, a group of candidates, or any political party.

It includes any material published on the internet or shared in public chat messaging groups that aims to influence the electoral success or standing of a political party or candidate, ELD added.

Holding rallies, whether in person or online, through a live stream, and wearing, using, carrying or displaying campaign propaganda are prohibited during the cooling-off period. 

Canvassing, walkabouts, door-to-door visits, and visiting homes and workplaces of voters in connection with the election are also not allowed, ELD said.

Exceptions to the ban on election advertising during the cooling-off period include reports in newspapers, on radio, and on television relating to election matters, as well as approved traditional election advertising that was already displayed before Cooling-off Day and has not been relocated, altered, or modified.

Lawful online election advertising published before the start of Cooling-off Day, along with private communications within closed chats or small groups of family and friends sharing election-related content, are also permitted, ELD said. 

RULES FOR CANDIDATES

Candidates and their supporters are expected to comply with all relevant laws during the cooling-off period and should avoid any action that may be perceived as campaigning, ELD said. 

They should not make home visits or attend public events where they are likely to attract attention and may be perceived to be canvassing for support, the department added. 

Candidates may, however, continue to attend religious ceremonies or worship services, meetings, or other functions in the course of their work. 

POLLING DAY

Polling stations will be open from 8am to 8pm on Saturday, which is Polling Day. 

Voters may check their polling station’s queue status by scanning the QR code on their poll card before going to vote, said ELD.

The department also encouraged the public to consider voting in the afternoon to avoid long queues in the morning.

ELD reminded voters not to wear or carry with them any item with images or symbols that may be perceived as influencing others or canvassing support for any particular political party, candidate or group of candidates to the polling station.

This includes items such as attire, bags, water bottles, soft toys that resemble or are associated with a political party, fans and badges.

Failure to comply may result in being turned away by election officials at the polling station, said ELD.

Voters must bring their original NRIC or passport and poll card, or show their digital NRIC and ePoll card via the Singpass app.

Voters are also encouraged to use the self-inking "X" stamps provided, but they may also use their own pens to mark their choice on the ballot

In a separate advisory, the police urged voters to take public transport or walk to their respective polling stations when possible. 

No parking is allowed at polling stations or on nearby roads. Vehicles parked indiscriminately will be issued a summons and may also be towed away, said the police.

There will, however, be alighting points at all polling stations for vehicles ferrying voters who are vulnerable or disabled.

ELD added that priority queues and wheelchairs will be available for use if needed, and election officials will be on hand to assist voters.

The police also advised the public not to loiter near the polling stations and to leave after casting their votes.