Presidential Election Update: 26 August is Cooling-off Day

No campaigning and election advertising shall be allowed on the eve of the election.

The Elections Department of the Prime Minister’s Office said, “This is to let voters reflect rationally on various issues raised at an election before going to the polls.”

Here are the details:

The following campaign and election advertising activities are prohibited on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day by the Presidential Elections Act:
(a) Publication and display of election advertising (including on the Internet and by SMSes/MMSes) not already lawfully displayed or published before the start of Cooling-off Day;
(b) Canvassing and visiting homes and workplaces of voters in connection with the election;
(c) Wearing, carrying or displaying of any political insignia or propaganda (such as badge, symbol, rosette, favour, set of colours, flag, advertisement, handbill, placard, poster or replica of voting paper) by any person- or on any motor-car, truck or other vehicle. Members of the public should refrain from wearing any apparel bearing the image, election symbol and/or the campaign message of any candidate on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day; and
(d) Holding of election meetings.

There are some exceptions to the prohibition of campaign activities on Cooling-off Day:
(a) Presidential Candidate Broadcasts on television;
(b) Reports in the newspapers, on radio and television relating to election matters;
(c) Approved posters/banners lawfully displayed before the start of Cooling-off Day;
(d) Other election advertising (including Internet election advertising) lawfully displayed or published before the start of Cooling-off Day;
(e) Distribution or promotion of sale of any book if the book was scheduled for publication independent of the election and the book is not sold at less than its commercial value;
(f) The transmission of personal political views by individuals to other individuals, on a non-commercial basis, using the telephone, Internet or other electronic means; and
(g) Candidates may continue to wear a replica of the symbol allotted to him.

Candidates and supporters should refrain from attending public events on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day. Attending religious ceremonies or worship services, or attending functions in the course of work or employment would still be permissible but this is subject to the general rule prohibiting campaigning and election advertising on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day.

The Elections Department further noted that contraventions of the prohibitions in the Presidential Elections Act are offences punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.

Also, “The photographs of candidates are included in the ballot paper to facilitate easy recognition of candidates by voters when they mark their choice on the ballot paper. Voters should give due respect to the candidates and not deface the photographs on the ballot paper.”

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