SINGAPOREANS will vote for a president for the first time on August 28, if there is a contest for the post - which becomes vacant on September 1. The polling date was announced by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who also issued a writ setting August 18 as Nomination Day. Polling day will be declared a public holiday and voting will be compulsory. Each candidate must pay a deposit of S$18,000 (HK$86,130) and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the Presidential Elections Committee. The committee must be satisfied of a candidate's integrity, good character, reputation, ability and experiencein managing the financial affairs of a large institution. However, the final requirement is not necessary for anyone with at least three years' experience as a government minister, senior public servant or chief executive officer of a company with at least S$100 million in paid-up capital. This exemption would apply to Ong Teng Cheong, 57, the Deputy Prime Minister, whose nomination was announced on Monday, but not to Chia Shi Teck, 45, a Nominated Member of Parliament and businessman. Mr Chia, group managing director of Heshe Holdings, has said he will offer himself as a candidate if no one else is nominated. Although his company's paid-up capital is below the S$100 million threshold, Mr Chia is expected to receive the committee's approval. Singapore's constitution was amended in 1991 to provide for the election of a president after the expiry of the term of incumbent Wee Kim Wee on August 31. The amendment states that, if there is only one candidate, the returning officer can declare him duly elected.
