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PE: Four-cornered fight for Presidential race
Posted: 17 August 2011 1317 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singaporeans will go to the polls to elect a new President on August 27.
It will be a four-cornered fight between medical doctor Tan Cheng Bock, investment adviser Tan Jee Say, and directors Tony Tan and Tan Kin Lian.
They were confirmed on Wednesday as candidates in the Presidential race after no objections were raised at the close of nominations.
Returning Officer Yam Ah Mee officially announced the list of candidates for the presidential race at about 12.45pm.
All the candidates then gave a short speech to thank their supporters.
Dr Tan Cheng Bock, 71, said he wants the office of President to be a place for Singaporeans to unite and to promote multi-racialism in the country.
Mr Tan Jee Say, 57, said the primary purpose of the Elected President is to provide checks and balances.
Dr Tony Tan, 71, said the Presidential Election is different from the General Election and that the President must be above politics.
Mr Tan Kin Lian, 63, said his campaign slogan is to be the "Voice of the People" and urged Singaporeans to support him.
The candidates are now expected to go full swing into their nine-day campaign period.
Each candidate will be allowed to hold one outdoor rally at designated sites approved by the police.
The first Presidential Candidate Broadcast will be held on Thursday from 8pm to 11.30pm across various free-to-air radio and television platforms.
The Media Development Authority said the platforms are made available in all four languages to the candidates.
The first broadcast will be in English at 8pm on Channel NewsAsia and 938Live.
The Manpower Ministry has reminded employers that Polling Day on August 27 is a public holiday and should be treated in the same manner as any other public holiday.
It said all employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to paid public holidays.
If an employee is required to work on Polling Day, he is entitled to an extra day's salary for the day's work, or be given a day off.
Employees who are not required to work on that day are also entitled to one day off-in-lieu, or be given one day's pay, similar to other public holidays falling on a Saturday.
- CNA/al