In an update affecting the forthcoming General Elections (GE2025) in Singapore, the Elections Department (ELD) has announced an uplift in the expenditure cap for electoral candidates. Effective from Thursday, March 27, political contenders can now allocate up to S$5 per voter, a rise from the previous S$4 limit.
This adjustment, as explained by ELD, is a reaction to ongoing inflation trends. It marks the first revision since 2015, when the limit saw an increase from S$3.50 to the aforementioned S$4. The revised spending limit pertains directly to individual electors within a Group Representation Constituency (GRC), factoring in the total number of electors and the candidates contesting within that group.
A significant aspect of this legislation is its role in maintaining electoral integrity by setting a financial boundary to campaign expenditures, thus averting the potential for “money politics”. Overreaching this set boundary constitutes an illegal practice under the law.
Ensuring Minority Representation
As stipulated by law, specific GRCs are designated to ensure representation from minority racial communities, with a mandate that these GRCs include at least one Member of Parliament (MP) from the Malay community or the Indian and other minority communities. As designated by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a breakdown of these constituencies includes several GRCs earmarked for Malay community representation and others for the Indian or other ethnic minorities.
The GRCs where at least one of the candidates must be a person belonging to the Malay community:
- Aljunied
- Bishan-Toa Payoh
- Chua Chu Kang
- East Coast
- Jalan Besar
- Marine Parade-Braddell Heights
- Marsiling-Yew Tee
- Pasir Ris-Changi
- Sembawang
- Sengkang
- Tampines
The GRCs where at least one of the candidates must be a person belonging to the Indian or other ethnic communities:
- Ang Mo Kio
- Holland-Bukit Timah
- Jurong East-Bukit Batok
- Nee Soon
- Punggol
- Tanjong Pagar
- West Coast-Jurong West
Updated Electoral Boundaries and Voting Eligibility
Following the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee’s latest report, which introduced five new GRCs and six Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), the ELD has completed the composition of the electoral registers based on these new demarcations. From 28 March 2025, Singaporeans are encouraged to verify their registration details either online via the ELD website, through the Singpass app, at community centers, ServiceSG Centres, or the ELD office. This is also applicable to overseas Singaporeans through designated overseas missions.
People whose names were removed from the registers for failing to vote at a past election may still apply to have their names restored to the registers via the ELD website, so that they can vote at the upcoming General Election. However, applications must be submitted promptly as reinstatements will not be processed from the issuance of the election Writ until after Nomination Day (in uncontested elections) or Polling Day (if a poll is conducted).
Furthermore, Singaporeans living abroad and eligible to vote have the option to register as overseas electors, with the condition of having resided in Singapore for a minimum of 30 days within the three years preceding their registration. This opens the door to voting via post or at designated overseas polling stations.
