Impact on Voting Rights Arising From Incident where NRIC-registered Addresses Were Changed by Scammers
Ministry of FinanceSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the impact of unauthorized NRIC-registered address changes by scammers on voting rights, as raised by Member of Parliament Sylvia Lim to the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing explained that the Elections Department compiles voter registers from Immigration and Checkpoints Authority data, which is currently being rectified for affected individuals. The Prime Minister has directed that registers be updated by 1 February 2025, followed by a two-week public inspection period allowing voters to correct any inaccurate particulars. Citizens can verify their status year-round through the Singpass app, the Elections Department website, or in person at community centers and ServiceSG centers. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing urged all voters to check their records during the inspection period to ensure their voting information is accurately reflected in the Registers of Electors.
Transcript
18 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance whether the Government has studied the impact on the voting rights of Singaporeans arising from scams involving changes of NRIC-registered addresses.
Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Prime Minister): The Elections Department (ELD) draws data, including residential addresses, from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to compile the Registers of Electors. Each Register, compiled by electoral division, sets out the list of voters for that electoral division.
On 11 January 2025, ICA reported that there were unauthorised attempts to change residential addresses registered with ICA. ICA has since reached out to all affected individuals to verify their correct residential address and rectify this in ICA's system.
As announced on 22 January 2025, the Prime Minister has directed that the Registers be updated based on the prescribed date of 1 February 2025. When the revision is completed, they will be open for public inspection for two weeks. During this inspection period, a person may submit a claim to update his particulars, including his National Registration Identity Card address, in the Register if his particulars are inaccurate. In addition, all year round, Singaporeans may check their voting status and particulars in the Registers via "My Profile" on their Singpass app and via Voter Services on ELD's website. Those who are unable to do so electronically may visit any community centre or club and ServiceSG centres or ELD's office for assistance.
I strongly encourage every voter to check their voting status and particulars when the revised Registers are open for public inspection. ELD will issue a press release ahead of the opening of the Registers. If they observe any inaccuracies, they should inform ELD during the inspection period to ensure that their particulars are accurately reflected in the Registers.