Anticipation is running at an all-time high as campaigning for the Singapore General Election 2025 (GE2025) hits full force. You’ve probably received flyers in your mailbox or seen political party posters plastered around your neighbourhood, and perhaps even experienced some of the passionate rallies yourself. There’s no escaping the topic on social media either – “look left, look right” and you’ll see snippets of the various candidate’s speeches, a ton of public discourse, and entertaining meme-ish moments.
No matter where your political views lie, we probably all have the same few questions in the lead-up towards Polling Day, which was recently confirmed for May 3, 2025 as an official public holiday. How do we find our allocated polling station? Can we vote at any polling station in our neighbourhood? What happens if you don’t vote? Our ultimate guide to voting in GE2025 covers all the biggest frequently asked questions, so get informed ahead of time if you’re a new voter, or simply someone who needs a ‘refresher course’ after five long years.
How to check which electoral division or constituency you are in
This almost sounds like a no-brainer, but things can get confusing if your neighbourhood is often the subject of ever-shifting electoral boundaries. Your are may not be in the same constituency that it once was in the last election, so if you’re unsure, key in your postal code here on the Elections Department Singapore website to sort out the facts.
How to find your designated polling station for voting in the Singapore GE2025
There are multiple polling stations located all over one’s neighbourhood, and these are allocated based on one’s residential address as of February 1, 2025. Polling stations are usually located within schools or at void decks, but no matter which yours is, it should be within easy walking distance of your home. If you’re an eligible voter, you should have received your poll card in the mail by now – read it carefully as your polling station is stated there. Alternatively, log into your Singpass app and click on your ePoll card under the ‘My Profile’ section on the main page to check for the location of your polling station.
Can I vote at a different polling station in my neighbourhood?
No, you cannot. All individuals who are eligible to vote in Singapore will have to go to their designated polling station in order to cast their votes. You are also not allowed to vote at a different polling station within the same neighbourhood or constituency – make sure you stick to your designated one for a smooth experience.
What time should I head down to vote on May 3, 2025?
Polling stations are open from 8am to 8pm, so you can drop by to cast your vote anytime between then. Some might choose to camp there before 8am so as to have the rest of the day free, while others might prefer to go towards the early evening with the logic that most others would already be done with voting by then.
If you choose to vote towards the end of the day, please be considerate towards those on duty and show up with enough buffer time to spare; Arriving just minutes before the cut-off timing might not bode well, and if there happens to be an unexpected queue situation, you might not be able to cast your vote.
If you’re not worried about being hangry, you can also try targeting lunchtime, when most others are busy eating. That said, voting queues are hard to predict, so just be mentally prepared to wait a little.
VoteQ – check for live queue updates at Singapore GE2025 polling stations
One little hack to arm yourself with is the VoteQ website, where you can key in your postal code to check on the number of voters waiting in line at your polling station. The numbers should be updated every five minutes during morning peak hours, and every 10 minutes during less crowded periods in the afternoon and evening.
Note: The VoteQ link will only go live on Polling Day itself.
How to mark your choice of political party on your GE2025 voting slip
‘X’ ink stamps are provided at voting booths so you’ll simply need to stamps ‘X’ in the checkbox next to the logo of the party you’re voting for. Make sure that your ‘X’ sits neatly within the box, and refrain from making any other marks or drawings elsewhere on the voting slip, else your vote will be rendered invalid. Once done, fold the voting slip with the inked side facing inwards, and drop it off in the ballot box before heading out. This whole process has to be done without communicating with other voters, and your vote is meant to be secret.
What do I need to bring along for voting in Singapore GE2025?
Don’t forget to leave the house with the following when you’re heading out to vote in the Singapore General Election 2025:
- Physical poll card or digital poll card via Singpass
- Physical IC or digital NRIC via Singpass; OR identity card from the Ministry of Defence, Singapore Police Force or Singapore Civil Defence Force; OR valid passport
Photocopied versions of all the aforementioned documents are not accepted.
You can bring along your mobile phone, of course – because how else would you access the Singpass app for your digital legal documents – but it is strictly not to be used while your vote is being cast. Cameras, sharp objects that can be considered weapons, and campaign material including clothing with identifiable party logos or slogans are not permitted within polling stations. Water and other non-alcoholic beverages are allowed, so you can stay hydrated while waiting for your turn.
Can I vote online or via mail?
No, voting in the Singapore General Election 2025 cannot be done online or through post. Eligible voters residing in Singapore will have to vote in person, with no exceptions.
What happens if I don’t vote?
Those who do not vote will be struck off the Registers of Electors list and will thus be unable to vote in the next election. To reinstate your voting rights, you’ll have to re-register via Singpass and pay a penalty fee of $50 should you not have a valid reason for not voting.
Valid reasons for not voting include: being stationed overseas for work, work trips, overseas studies, living with your spouse who is working or studying overseas, being on a holiday booked before Polling Day was announced, illness, and childbirth. Those who have such reasons for failing to vote can get their voting status re-registered online without the $50 fee.
What if I’m overseas on holiday during Polling Day?
Having a vacation already planned prior to the confirmation of Polling Day is a valid reason for not being able to vote. Simply apply to get your name back into the Registers of Electors via the Voter Services website using Singpass – no fees will be required if you have proof of the fact that your trip was already booked beforehand.
While there are polling stations overseas, those are specifically for Singaporeans who’ve relocated (aka overseas Singaporeans). Singaporeans who are vacationing abroad will not be able to vote at those stations.
What’s so bad about not being able to vote?
It is your duty as a Singaporean to vote for the sort of nation you wish to have. Regardless of your political beliefs, every single vote counts. Think about it – if everyone else were to also adopt the mindset where they think their vote is insignificant and thus chooses not to exercise the right to vote, the numbers will add up, and this can drastically change Singapore’s progress in the years to come. Remember, it’s not just about you – it’s also about your fellow citizens and the generations here to come. So take on that responsibility, show up, and put ink to paper for the future of our country.
Can Singapore Permanent Residents vote?
Only Singapore Citizens have the right to vote in Singapore’s General Election and Presidential Election. PRs in Singapore do not get to vote.
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