Presidential hopefuls (from left) Mr Farid Khan, Madam Halimah Yacob and Mr Salleh Marican. Photos: Nuria Ling/TODAY

SINGAPORE — Voters will go to the polls on Sept 23 to pick Singapore's eighth President, if there is more than one eligible candidate, according to the writ of election issued by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (Aug 28).

Nomination Day will fall on Sept 13 and will be held at the auditorium of the People's Association along King George's Avenue.

Presidential hopefuls who have yet to submit their applications for a certificate of eligibility and a community certificate for the coming election will have the next five working days, till 5pm on Sept 4 to do so. Failure to do so with either committees will rule them out of the election.

They must also apply for a political donation certificate to the Elections Department by Sept 9, 1pm.

This year, there will also be a new form for candidates to voluntarily undertake that they will conduct their election campaign in a manner that is "dignified, decorous and consistent with the President's position as the Head of State and the symbol of national unity", said the Elections Department in a media release issued on Monday.

Signed undertakings will be put up on the notice board, together with the Nomination Paper and certificates, during nomination proceedings on Nomination Day.

Each candidate will have to pay a deposit of S$43,500, which has to be made by noon on Nomination Day.

Writing on Facebook on Monday, PM Lee said he had previously explained why Singapore was adopting the "hiatus-triggered" model that reserves an election for a particular community if the Republic has not had a President from that community for five consecutive terms.

"We are a multiracial country, and every citizen should know that someone of his community can become President, and does become President from time to time, and thus represent all Singaporeans," he wrote.

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