GE2025: ICA Probing Case of Solo Voter in New Tampines Changkat SMC Polling District
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is investigating a rare case of a solo voter registered in a polling district within the new Tampines Changkat Single Member Constituency (SMC) for the upcoming general election.
The anomaly emerged after the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) released its report on March 11. According to the report, one voter is listed under the East Coast 42 polling district, which now falls under Tampines Changkat SMC.
Checks by The Straits Times revealed that the area, as of Feb 1 – the cut-off date for the Provisional Registers of Electors – had no known valid residences. The district comprises four Housing Board Build-To-Order (BTO) projects and an industrial estate. Of the four, three are still under construction, while Tampines GreenEmerald only began handing over keys to residents on Feb 23.
Responding to media queries, ICA confirmed that the case is under investigation but declined to provide further details at this stage.
Under the National Registration Act, all identity card holders are required to update their residential address within 28 days of moving. This is done via ICA’s online change-of-address e-service.
“An individual’s declared place of residence should be based on his physical residence,” ICA said, adding that accurate address records ensure government agencies can reliably contact individuals for voting, public health, and administrative purposes.
The agency noted it is not feasible to verify every declared address or check with property owners about residential restrictions on their premises.
False declarations or failure to report address changes can result in fines of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.
The case has raised questions about electoral data accuracy and enforcement of address declarations in areas undergoing development.
