Initiatives for Next General Election
Prime Minister's OfficeSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns updates on initiatives for the next general election raised by Mr Png Eng Huat, including voter e-registration and new polling booth designs. Minister Chan Chun Sing stated that the Elections Department (ELD) will implement e-registration and pilot eco-friendly booths designed with the Singapore Institute of Technology, alongside portable lap-booths for wheelchair users. He highlighted the introduction of self-inking pens to help voters mark ballot papers clearly with an 'X', which simplifies marking for the elderly and reduces counting ambiguity. Minister Chan Chun Sing added that ELD will invite political parties to provide feedback on the equipment and will organize roadshows for voter familiarisation. These measures are intended to improve efficiency and ensure the voting process is accessible and clear for all citizens.
Transcript
34 Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Prime Minister whether he can provide an update on the new initiatives planned for the next general election, in particular (i) the e-registration of voters (ii) the new prototype booth design and (iii) any other changes made to the conduct of the voting process on Polling Day.
Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Prime Minister): Mr Png asked for an update on the new initiatives for the next general election.
As announced previously, ELD intends to implement e-registration of voters to make the process more efficient. This will be ready for the next general election.
For the polling booths, ELD worked with students from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), and a prototype booth using low-cost environmental-friendly recyclable material appears promising. ELD is in the process of finalising the design with SIT and will pilot these booths at the next election, if ready. ELD has also designed a portable booth so that voters on wheelchairs can mark their ballot papers by placing such booths on their lap.
ELD will also introduce the use of self-inking pens, which imprint an 'X', to allow voters to mark their choice clearly and easily without ambiguity. Such self-inking pens require minimum pressure to mark the ballot papers, making it easy for everyone, including the elderly to use. During vote counting, the use of this self-inking pen will reduce the need for Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) to adjudicate ballot papers, since the voters' choice are clearly marked.
ELD will arrange to show these new initiatives to representatives of political parties and allow them to try and provide feedback on the new equipment later this year. ELD will subsequently conduct roadshows to familiarise voters with the new equipment.