The Elections Department (ELD) recently announced that the election deposit for candidates participating in the upcoming General Election 2025 (GE2025) will remain at $13,500, the same amount required in the previous election.
The ELD disclosed this information following the dissolution of Parliament by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and the issuance of the Writ of Election on April 15.
According to the details revealed by ELD, Polling Day for GE2025 is scheduled for May 3, a Saturday, provided that multiple candidates or groups of candidates are nominated for an electoral division on Nomination Day, which is set for Wednesday, April 23.
Candidates must secure at least 12.5% of the votes polled to prevent forfeiture of their election deposits if they are not elected.
The election deposit amount is established based on the fixed monthly allowance paid to an elected Member of Parliament (MP) in the month before the Parliament’s dissolution, rounded to the nearest $500.
The existing fixed monthly allowance is $13,750, thus setting the deposit at $13,500. Candidates are encouraged to submit their deposits early to avoid last-minute rush on Nomination Day, with electronic payment methods like PayNow and bank transfer being available options.
ELD is promoting using digital services on its website to help candidates prepare their nomination papers accurately. The papers need to be printed, signed, and submitted in person to the respective nomination centres between 11 am and noon on Nomination Day, along with a proposer, a seconder, and at least four assenters.
Additionally, candidates must apply for a political donation certificate by April 19 and adhere to the election expenses limits outlined in the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act, only Singapore citizens aged 21 and above or Singapore entities are permitted to make political donations.
Furthermore, candidates running in Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) must obtain a relevant certificate from either the Malay Community Committee or the Indian and Other Minority Communities Committee. Applications for these certificates will conclude on April 19.
