by Lyn Chan
THE electoral boundaries for the next General Election were
released on Thursday.
Looking at previous elections, the release of the Electoral
Boundaries Report usually indicates the nearing of a general
election.
What happens next?
Dissolution of Parliament
The general election must be held within three months of the
dissolution of Parliament.
The last three elections saw Parliament dissolving between a day
and almost seven weeks after the release of the report.
Nomination Day
Nomination Day must come between five days and a month after the
President has issued writ.
Based on the past three elections, Nomination Day took place
after Parliament was dissolved.
The minimum period between Nomination and Polling Day, typically
nine days, has been extended to 10 days to make up for the
Cooling-Off Day.
Polling Day must be held not earlier than the 10th day and not
later than the 56th day immediately following the Notice of
Contested Elections is published after Nomination Day.
Cooling-Off Day
Cooling-Off Day has been implemented to give voters some time to
mull over the issues raised during the election before making a
trip to the polls.
During these 24 hours, candidates are not allowed to
campaign.
However, party political broadcasts are allowed.
Polling Day
Previous polls were held between 17 days and six months after
the release of the Electoral Boundaries Report.
Based on past experience, Singaporeans can expect to go to the
polls by Aug 24.
