Constitution of the Republic of Singapore - Singapore Statutes Online

Qualifications and disabilities of President

19.—(1) No person shall be elected as President unless he is qualified for election in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

(2) A person shall be qualified to be elected as President if he —

(a)

is a citizen of Singapore;

(b)

is not less than 45 years of age;

(c)

possesses the qualifications specified in Article 44(2)(c) and (d);

(d)

is not subject to any of the disqualifications specified in Article 45;

(e)

satisfies the Presidential Elections Committee that he is a person of integrity, good character and reputation;

(f)

is not a member of any political party on the date of his nomination for election; and

(g)

has for a period of not less than 3 years held office —

(i)	as Minister, Chief Justice, Speaker, Attorney-General, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Auditor-General, Accountant-General or Permanent Secretary;
(ii)	as chairman or chief executive officer of a statutory board to which Article 22A applies;
(iii)	as chairman of the board of directors or chief executive officer of a company incorporated or registered under the Companies Act (Cap. 50) with a paid-up capital of at least $100 million or its equivalent in foreign currency; or
(iv)	in any other similar or comparable position of seniority and responsibility in any other organisation or department of equivalent size or complexity in the public or private sector which, in the opinion of the Presidential Elections Committee, has given him such experience and ability in administering and managing financial affairs as to enable him to carry out effectively the functions and duties of the office of President.

(3) The President shall —

(a)	not hold any other office created or recognised by this Constitution;
(b)	not actively engage in any commercial enterprise;
(c)	not be a member of any political party; and
(d)	if he is a Member of Parliament, vacate his seat in Parliament.

(4) Nothing in clause (3) shall be construed as requiring any person exercising the functions of the office of President under Article 22N or 22O to —

(a)	if he is a member of any political party, resign as a member of that party; or
(b)	vacate his seat in Parliament or any other office created or recognised by this Constitution.

Search within Legislation