UPDATE - Singaporean presidential election vote closes, counting begins

UPDATES WITH POLL CLOSURE, CHANGES HEADLINE

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The counting of votes has begun in Singapore following the close of voting on Friday to choose their new president from three candidates.

A majority of over 2.7 million eligible voters cast their ballots, with about 85% turnout recorded at 5 p.m. local time (0900GMT), according to a local daily Straits Times.

The election features a three-way presidential race between two businessmen, Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian, and a former senior minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

The successful candidate will become the city-state’s ninth president for a six-year term.

Earlier in the day, the Elections Department Singapore urged people to “go out to vote throughout the day.”

“The (voting) queue has improved at most polling stations,” the election authority said in a statement.

Incumbent President Halimah Yacob is not seeking a second term.

Singapore’s Constitution mandates that the new president has to be elected three months before the incumbent’s term ends.

This year, candidates from all races can vie for the post but they cannot be affiliated to any political party when the date of nomination reaches.

The first presidential election in Singapore was held on Aug. 28, 1993.​​​​​​​


*Islamuddin Sajid contribued to the story