Ooi, Zeng failed to file nomination papers

SINGAPORE: Private tutor Ooi Boon Ewe and retired acupuncturist Zeng Guoyuan did not file their papers at the Nomination Centre on Wednesday morning.

Both arrived at the centre without any supporters.

Mr Ooi was the first to arrive but he gave the media the slip after making his way up to the school assembly hall.

That was when an upbeat Zeng Guoyuan entered the school gates and said: "As long as you have S$14,500, you can contest!"

Shortly after however, his mood changed.

Mr Zeng assumed he was not eligible to contest because of a previous conviction and would lose his electoral deposit if he tried to.

In 2008, Zeng had used abusive language on police officers.

He felt that incident led to his alleged disqualification from the 2012 Hougang By—election.

At the 2011 General Election, he tore up his nomination papers.

As for Mr Ooi, he was later found at a bus stop.

He said he spent part of the morning looking for assentors.

Mr Ooi also claimed that his political donations certificate had gone "missing".

"Of course disappointed, what to do! " the 71—year—old told the media adding that he planned to "go home and cry, like a baby".

Mr Ooi said the money for his deposit to run in the by—election was in the car that he had arrived in but that the driver was nowhere to be found.

This is not the first time that Mr Ooi has been unsuccessful on Nomination Day, having also failed in his attempts to run in the 2011 General and Presidential Elections.

— CNA/fa/sf