Singapore: Singapore will elect a new
President on August 27, who will succeed SR Nathan, an Indian
origin leader who steps down after serving two terms, the
Prime Minister's office said today.
Nomination for the post will take place on August 17,
which means that effectively there will be 9 days of
campaigning before the election.
A number of candidates, including former Deputy Prime
Minister Dr Tony Tan, have expressed interest in standing for
the post of President.
The new President shall take over from S R Nathan, 87,
of Tamil origin, who retires end of this month after serving
two terms of six years each.
The potential candidates include Dr Tan Cheng Bock, a
former member of Parliament from the ruling People?s Action
Party; Tan Kin Lian, the former chief of National Trades Union
Congress insurance company, NTUC Income and Tan Jee Say, a
former member of the opposition.
Andrew Kuan has also expressed plans to re-bid for the
presidency, having previously failed by not qualifying through
a process which issues certificate of eligibility.
The certificate of eligibility would qualify a
candidate with financial experience in government or a
statutory board or having led and managed a Singapore
incorporated company worth at least SGD 100 million for at
least three years.
The contending candidates for the presidency should be
independent and not linked to any political party.
Others also have time to qualify to bid for the
presidency till August 6.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, August 03, 2011, 23:08