Cooling-off Day for Punggol East by-election

Friday is Cooling-off Day for the Punggol East by-election which has seen nine days of vigorous campaigning by the four candidates contending in the polls.

The Elections Department has reminded political parties and candidates that the today has been set aside for voters to reflect rationally on various issues raised during the campaigning before they go to the polls on Saturday.

The four candidates we spoke to say they intend to spend their time with their family and friends and supporters after the gruelling campaign which took the form of walkabouts, morning visits to train stations to catch the office-goers, public rallies and on-line rallies. 

On Cooling-off Day, campaigning is not allowed. 

Election advertising must not be published or displayed. 

There are some exceptions like for reports in the newspapers, on radio and television relating to election matters. 

Also allowed are approved posters and banners lawfully displayed before the start of Cooling-off Day, and other election advertising, such as internet election advertising lawfully displayed or published before the start of Cooling-off Day. 

Candidates can continue to wear a replica of the symbol allotted to them. 

Candidates and supporters have also been advised to refrain from attending public events on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day. 

But they can attend religious ceremonies or worship services, or functions in the course of work or employment - but must be mindful of the rule prohibiting campaigning and election advertising. 

On Saturday, some 31,600 voters from the Punggol East division will go to the polls to elect their Parliamentary representative. 

The By-Election is being contested by four political parties. 

Dr Koh Poh Koon from the People's Action Party, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam from the Reform Party, Mr Desmond Lim Bak Chuan from the Singapore Democratic Alliance and Ms Lee Li Lian from the Workers' Party. 

This is Singapore's second by-election in eight months after the last one at Hougang. 

The Cooling-off Day provision in the Parliamentary Elections Act is now in force for the fourth time, starting off with the 2011 General Election and Presidential Election and the 2012 Hougang By-Election.