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<p>Singapore on Friday (September 1) held its first contest presidential election in over a decade to elect the new head of the state. The frontrunners for the election are former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (66), Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian. According to a report by the news agency AFP, Song, aged 75,&nbsp;is the former chief investment officer of Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, which manages the country's foreign reserves. Lian (75)&nbsp;meanwhile, is a former chief executive of insurer NTUC Income.</p>

<p>Whoever wins the election will take over from Singapore's first female president, Halimah Yacob. The president's role is largely ceremonial. However, there are stringent requirements for the position which formally oversees Singapore's accumulated financial reserves and holds the power to veto certain measures and approve anti-graft probes.</p>

<p>Voting is compulsory for eligible citizens and those who do not vote are at risk of being struck from the voters' list. By 5 pm Friday, around 85 per cent of eligible voters exercised their franchise, according to the Elections Department Singapore (ELD).</p>

<h2><strong>The frontrunners</strong></h2>

<p>Former deputy prime minister Shanmugaratnam, a leader of the People's Action Party (PAP), is widely perceived as having the government's backing and was questioned about his independence during the campaign. Shanmugaratnam stepped down from the deputy PM's post ahead of his candidacy. His party was recently rocked by political scandals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Citing observers, AFP reported that Friday's vote could indicate the level of PAP support ahead of general elections due in 2025 or discontent after the scandals.</p>

<p>Tan Kin Lian has gained the support of several opposition leaders. Lian had recently said that it was okay to be merciful to drug mules facing the death penalty in Singapore, adding he did not believe would granting clemency would lead to a flood of drug traffickers.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, two days before the election, Ng Kok Song said that politics in Singapore had become highly contestable and having the "wrong team" in charge is “no longer a remote possibility,” CNA reported on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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Singapore on Friday (September 1) held its first contest presidential election in over a decade to elect the new head of the state. The frontrunners for the election are former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (66), Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian.

Singapore on Friday (September 1) held its first contest presidential election in over a decade to elect the new head of the state. The frontrunners for the election are former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (66), Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian. According to a report by the news agency AFP, Song, aged 75, is the former chief investment officer of Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, which manages the country's foreign reserves. Lian (75) meanwhile, is a former chief executive of insurer NTUC Income. Whoever wins the election will take over from Singapore's first female president, Halimah Yacob. The president's role is largely ceremonial. However, there are stringent requirements for the position which formally oversees Singapore's accumulated financial reserves and holds the power to veto certain measures and approve anti-graft probes. Voting is compulsory for eligible citizens and those who do not vote are at risk of being struck from the voters' list. By 5 pm Friday, around 85 per cent of eligible voters exercised their franchise, according to the Elections Department Singapore (ELD). The frontrunners Former deputy prime minister Shanmugaratnam, a leader of the People's Action Party (PAP), is widely perceived as having the government's backing and was questioned about his independence during the campaign. Shanmugaratnam stepped down from the deputy PM's post ahead of his candidacy. His party was recently rocked by political scandals. Citing observers, AFP reported that Friday's vote could indicate the level of PAP support ahead of general elections due in 2025 or discontent after the scandals. Tan Kin Lian has gained the support of several opposition leaders. Lian had recently said that it was okay to be merciful to drug mules facing the death penalty in Singapore, adding he did not believe would granting clemency would lead to a flood of drug traffickers. Meanwhile, two days before the election, Ng Kok Song said that politics in Singapore had become highly contestable and having the "wrong team" in charge is “no longer a remote possibility,” CNA reported on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Singapore holds first presidential poll in over 10 years to pick next head of state

<p>A Singapore-born Indian-origin former minister has been announced as an official candidate for the rich Southeast Asian nation’s presidential elections.</p>

<p>Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, has been a former senior minister in the government of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).</p>

<p>"Let's look forward to a campaign, which is dignified and honourable, and a campaign which itself seeks to unite Singaporeans and not divide us," he said in a speech.</p>

<p>Singapore’s Elections Department (ELD) on Tuesday (August 22) declared three individuals as official candidates for the country’s highest non-political post, including two Chinese-origin candidates.</p>

<p>The other two candidates are 75-year-old Ng Kok Song, who is the former investment chief of a state-owned company, and 75-year-old Tan Kin Lian, who is the former head of the state-run insurance company.</p>

<h2><strong>Tharman resigned from public offices in July</strong></h2>

<p>In order to qualify for contesting presidential polls, Tharman had resigned from all political and public offices in July.</p>

<p>He later told the local media that he was running in the polls not for the associated prestige but on the basis of a long-held purpose in life.</p>

<p>"I believe in a fairer, more compassionate and more inclusive society. And my life is dedicated to that. Singapore can be special," the Indian-origin leader said.</p>

<p>"It will be a more difficult and challenging future that we face, which is the reason why I have entered this contest to offer all my experience and capabilities on the ground for a few decades nationally and internationally," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Tharman’s career</strong></h2>

<p>Tharman began his career as an economist and civil servant, primarily at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, before entering the political arena in 2001.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Singapore: Tharman Shanmugaratnam to run for Presidency</strong></p>

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<p>During his time in politics, he held positions as the minister for education and finance, as well as deputy prime minister, serving from 2011 to 2019.</p>

<h2><strong>The other two candidates</strong></h2>

<p>Ng, who introduced himself in Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, expressed his candidacy for the presidency as a means to safeguard Singapore's three key assets: its reserves, public service appointments, and social stability.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-indian-origin-former-minister-tharman-among-3-people-qualified-to-run-in-presidential-election-626830"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Singapore: Indian-origin former minister Tharman among 3 people qualified to run in presidential election</strong></a></p>

<p>Tan voiced his aspiration to provide the people of Singapore with the opportunity to choose a president who remains truly impartial from the ruling government. He pledged to fulfil his constitutional responsibilities diligently, honestly, and to the best of his ability if elected.</p>

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A Singapore-born Indian-origin former minister has been announced as an official candidate for the rich Southeast Asian nation’s presidential elections. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, has been a former senior minister in the government of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

A Singapore-born Indian-origin former minister has been announced as an official candidate for the rich Southeast Asian nation’s presidential elections. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, has been a former senior minister in the government of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). "Let's look forward to a campaign, which is dignified and honourable, and a campaign which itself seeks to unite Singaporeans and not divide us," he said in a speech. Singapore’s Elections Department (ELD) on Tuesday (August 22) declared three individuals as official candidates for the country’s highest non-political post, including two Chinese-origin candidates. The other two candidates are 75-year-old Ng Kok Song, who is the former investment chief of a state-owned company, and 75-year-old Tan Kin Lian, who is the former head of the state-run insurance company. Tharman resigned from public offices in July In order to qualify for contesting presidential polls, Tharman had resigned from all political and public offices in July. He later told the local media that he was running in the polls not for the associated prestige but on the basis of a long-held purpose in life. "I believe in a fairer, more compassionate and more inclusive society. And my life is dedicated to that. Singapore can be special," the Indian-origin leader said. "It will be a more difficult and challenging future that we face, which is the reason why I have entered this contest to offer all my experience and capabilities on the ground for a few decades nationally and internationally," he added. Tharman’s career Tharman began his career as an economist and civil servant, primarily at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, before entering the political arena in 2001. Watch: Singapore: Tharman Shanmugaratnam to run for Presidency × During his time in politics, he held positions as the minister for education and finance, as well as deputy prime minister, serving from 2011 to 2019. The other two candidates Ng, who introduced himself in Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, expressed his candidacy for the presidency as a means to safeguard Singapore's three key assets: its reserves, public service appointments, and social stability. Also read: Singapore: Indian-origin former minister Tharman among 3 people qualified to run in presidential election Tan voiced his aspiration to provide the people of Singapore with the opportunity to choose a president who remains truly impartial from the ruling government. He pledged to fulfil his constitutional responsibilities diligently, honestly, and to the best of his ability if elected. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Indian-origin ex-minister Tharman is a candidate in Singapore presidential polls

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Singapore holds first presidential poll in over 10 years to pick next head of state

Indian-origin ex-minister Tharman is a candidate in Singapore presidential polls