SINGAPORE, Sept 10 — The Elections Department (ELD) yesterday issued a reminder that today is Cooling-off Day — a day when campaigning is not allowed and election advertising must not be published or displayed.

This 24-hour campaign silence period is to let voters reflect rationally on the issues raised before going to the polls the following day. Candidates and their supporters “should refrain from conduct that goes against the spirit behind the prohibition against campaigning”, said the ELD.

Canvassing, visiting homes and workplaces of voters for campaigning purposes and the holding of election meetings are banned on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day under the Parliamentary Elections Act.

While members of the public can still transmit their personal political views to other individuals on a non-commercial basis via the Internet, telephone or other electronic means, the ELD said that wearing, using, carrying or displaying of any political propaganda on any person or vehicles are prohibited.

According to the ELD, political propaganda includes badges, symbols, rosettes, favours, sets of colours, flags, advertisements, handbills, placards, posters or replicas of voting papers.

Candidates to be mindful of conduct

On Cooling-off Day and Polling Day, the ELD said candidates should be “mindful” of how they conduct themselves in public and exercise due care to avoid any action that may be perceived as campaigning.

Political parties and their supporters must not knowingly publish or display, cause or permit to be published or displayed any election advertising in or among electors in the electoral division. This includes advertising on any vehicle, thing or structure within or adjoining the electoral division.

Election advertisements that were put up on the Internet must be left unchanged once the campaign silence period kicks in at midnight.

However, programmatic advertising — the use of technology to automatically deliver digital ads online and on social media platforms — should not be conducted on both Cooling-off Day and Polling Day.

To avoid any misunderstanding, the ELD advised that, over the next two days, candidates should, as far as possible, refrain from visiting their constituents or attending public events in their constituencies, where they are likely to attract public attention.

“At such events, candidates’ presence, actions, communications, and exchanges (including private exchanges) are highly visible and may be perceived as campaigning,” the ELD said.

The publication of election surveys and exit polls are also prohibited before the close of all polling stations.

There are some exceptions to the prohibitions.

Exceptions

Candidates are allowed to wear a badge indicating their affiliation with a political party or replica of the symbol allotted to them.

The ELD also said that it would still be permissible for candidates to attend religious ceremonies for private prayer or worship, or attend functions in the course of work or employment, as long as the general prohibitions against campaigning and election advertising are adhered to.

Reports in the newspapers, on radio and television relating to election matters, as well as party political broadcasts scheduled from 9pm onwards on Cooling-off Day are allowed.

Other exceptions include the display of approved posters and banners, as well as election advertisements on the Internet that were put up or published before the start of Cooling-off Day.

The distribution or promotion of the sale of any book that are scheduled for publication independent of the election are also allowed, but they should not be sold at less than their commercial value.

Polling day

Polling stations are open from 8am to 8pm on Polling Day tomorrow. While no ballot papers will be issued after polling closes at 8pm, the ELD advised voters to avoid going to the polling station during the morning peak period when waiting time tends to be longer.

Voters are reminded to bring their original NRIC/passport and poll card to the polling station to cast their vote.

Voters should also mark their choice with a cross (“X”) on the ballot paper in the space provided on the right hand side of the ballot paper opposite the name of the candidates or, if the electoral division is a group representation constituency, the names of the group of candidates.

When casting their vote, voters should also fold their ballot paper so as to conceal their vote. The folded ballot paper should be put into the ballot box before they leave the polling station.

The ELD also noted that bringing or using any camera, video or photographic equipment to the polling station is disallowed.

For more guidance on the Do’s and Don’ts on Polling Day, visit the ELD’s website:http://www.eld.gov.sg/voters_dosdonts.html. — TODAY