PART 2
TRADITIONAL ELECTION ADVERTISING
Manner of including published-by requirements under section 61B(2)(c) of Act
3.  For the purposes of section 61B(2)(c) of the Act, a traditional election advertisement must include the information mentioned in section 61B(4) of the Act in the following manner:
(a)the words “publicly displayed by” or similar expressions must be used to include the identity particulars required by section 61B(4)(a) of the Act;
(b)the words “approved by” or similar expressions must be used to include the identity particulars required by section 61B(4)(b) of the Act;
(c)the words “publicly displayed for” or similar expressions must be used to include the identity particulars required by section 61B(4)(c) of the Act;
(d)the words “paid for by”, “sponsored by” or similar expressions must be used to include the identity particulars required by section 61B(4)(d) of the Act;
(e)the words “printed by” or similar expressions must be used to include the identity particulars required by section 61B(4)(e) of the Act.
Small and portable promotional items prescribed under sections 61B(9)(a)(iii) and (10)(a)(iii) and 61D(1)(a)(iii) of Act
4.  Each of the following is prescribed as a small and portable promotional item for the purposes of sections 61B(9)(a)(iii) and (10)(a)(iii) and 61D(1)(a)(iii) of the Act:
(a)a diary or calendar on paper or paperboard;
(b)a card, flyer, pamphlet or other similar printed matter or material not larger than 297 millimetres by 210 millimetres;
(c)a key chain;
(d)a retail packet or package containing cleansing tissue or paper napkins that have been cut to size;
(e)a miniature flag or pennant;
(f)a soft toy;
(g)an umbrella;
(h)an inflatable object;
(i)any other small or portable object or article (not being a decalcomania or any other adhesive label on a vehicle) that —
(i)is less than $10 in value; and
(ii)can fit into a space measuring 10 centimetres by 10 centimetres by 10 centimetres.
Prescribed requirements for declaration of traditional election advertising under section 61E(4)(b)(iii) of Act
5.—(1)  For the purposes of section 61E(4)(b)(iii) of the Act, a separate declaration must be submitted for each traditional election advertisement.
(2)  The declaration must be submitted to the Returning Officer through the Internet website of the Elections Department at https://www.eld.gov.sg, using the form for that purpose made available on that website.
(3)  The declaration must contain —
(a)the identity particulars of the person who submitted the declaration (called in this paragraph the declarant);
(b)the political party to which the declarant belongs, if any;
(c)the email address and mobile telephone number of the declarant;
(d)a copy, image, detailed diagram or drawing of the traditional election advertisement that is being declared;
(e)a description of the location (including the electoral division) where that traditional election advertisement is displayed, including any particulars of that location that the Returning Officer may require in writing in any particular case; and
(f)an image of that traditional election advertisement displayed at that location.
(4)  When any declaration is received by the Returning Officer, the Returning Officer must without delay ensure that the declaration is —
(a)made available for inspection (without charge) at the Elections Department, 11 Novena Rise, Singapore 307516, during its business hours, until the close of the poll in Singapore; or
(b)published on the Internet website of the Elections Department at https://www.eld.gov.sg until the close of the poll in Singapore.
Prescribed public display of traditional election advertising excluded from section 61E(1) of Act
6.  For the purposes of section 61E(4)(d) of the Act, the public display of a traditional election advertisement is excluded from section 61E(1) of the Act if —
(a)the traditional election advertisement was lawfully publicly displayed in the electoral division concerned before the start of the election period concerned;
(b)the traditional election advertisement is part of or otherwise permanently affixed on —
(i)an exterior wall or exterior window of any building or part of a building occupied by a business, charitable or other undertaking by a political party;
(ii)an exterior wall or exterior window of any building partly occupied by a business, charitable or other undertaking by a political party; or
(iii)if a building mentioned in sub‑paragraph (i) or (ii) is located in any grounds — any outer wall, fence or other structure or feature to mark the boundary of those grounds; and
(c)the traditional election advertisement contains only the name or symbol, or both, of the political party concerned and is solely for the purpose of identifying the business, charitable or other undertaking carried on at or within the building.
Permit to display traditional election advertising for purposes of section 61G(5)(a) of Act
7.—(1)  For the purposes of section 61G(5)(a) of the Act, the Returning Officer must —
(a)for an election in a group representation constituency — issue a permit to each group of candidates at the election; and
(b)for an election in any other electoral division — issue a permit to each candidate at the election.
(2)  A permit may only include conditions relating to the following matters:
(a)the submission of a copy, image, detailed diagram or drawing of a traditional election advertisement to the Returning Officer, together with the identity particulars required under section 61B(4) of the Act, before the traditional election advertisement is publicly displayed;
(b)the manner of submission for the purposes of sub‑paragraph (a);
(c)the affixing of a stamp allotted to the electoral division and issued by the Returning Officer on a traditional election advertisement for the entire period it is publicly displayed;
(d)the affixing of the permissible electoral matter of the candidate or group of candidates (as the case may be) on a traditional election advertisement for the entire period it is publicly displayed;
(e)the proper securing of a traditional election advertisement that is displayed in a permissible location.
(3)  The permit must not include any condition on any matter regulated by any other provision in Divisions 1 to 4 under “ELECTION ADVERTISING” of Part 3 of the Act.
Maximum permissible number for traditional election advertising under section 61H(1)(d) of Act, etc.
8.—(1)  In this regulation —
(a)“small traditional election advertisement” means a traditional election advertisement that can fit into a space measuring 1.75 metres by 1.2 metres;
(b)“large traditional election advertisement” means —
(i)a traditional election advertisement that —
(A)cannot fit into a space measuring 1.75 metres by 1.2 metres; but
(B)can fit within a space measuring 9 metres by 1.2 metres; or
(ii)2 or more small traditional election advertisements that are displayed so closely to one another as to form a single traditional election advertisement that falls within sub‑paragraph (i); and
(c)in relation to an election in a group representation constituency, a traditional election advertisement is publicly displayed by or on behalf of a group of candidates if it is publicly displayed by or on behalf of any, some or all of the candidates in the group.
(2)  For the purposes of section 61H(1)(d) of the Act, the maximum permissible number of small traditional election advertisements allowed to be publicly displayed by or on behalf of a candidate or a group of candidates (as the case may be) in an election in an electoral division is the greater of A and B, as determined by the following table:
Type of
electoral division
A
B
1.Group representation constituency with groups of 6 candidates
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 50 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest 100
3,000
2.Group representation constituency with groups of 5 candidates
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 50 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest 100
2,500
3.Group representation constituency with groups of 4 candidates
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 50 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest 100
2,000
4.Group representation constituency with groups of 3 candidates
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 50 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest 100
1,500
5.Any other electoral division
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 50 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest 100
500
(3)  For the purposes of section 61H(1)(d) of the Act, the maximum permissible number of large traditional election advertisements allowed to be publicly displayed by or on behalf of a candidate or a group of candidates (as the case may be) in an election in an electoral division is the greater of A and B, as determined by the following table:
Type of electoral division
A
B
1.Group representation constituency with groups of 6 candidates
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 4,000 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest whole number
38
2.Group representation constituency with groups of 5 candidates
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 4,000 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest whole number
31
3.Group representation constituency with groups of 4 candidates
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 4,000 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest whole number
25
4.Group representation constituency with groups of 3 candidates
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 4,000 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest whole number
19
5.Any other electoral division
The number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the electoral division by 4,000 and, if applicable, rounding the result to the nearest whole number
6
(4)  If a large traditional election advertisement within the meaning of paragraph (1)(b)(ii) is publicly displayed by or on behalf of a candidate or a group of candidates, as the case may be —
(a)each of the small traditional election advertisements that forms the large traditional election advertisement must be counted towards the maximum number in paragraph (2); and
(b)the large traditional election advertisement must be counted towards the maximum number in paragraph (3).
(5)  A traditional election advertisement that is neither a small traditional election advertisement nor a large traditional election advertisement must not be publicly displayed in an electoral division by or on behalf of a candidate or a group of candidates in an election in that electoral division.
Traditional election advertising not to be displayed outside of relevant electoral division
9.—(1)  Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a person commits an offence if, during the campaign period of an election in an electoral division —
(a)the person publicly displays, or causes to be publicly displayed, a traditional election advertisement in any place outside of that electoral division; and
(b)the traditional election advertisement contains an express or implied reference to —
(i)the election in that electoral election; or
(ii)a person in his or her capacity as a candidate in the election in that electoral division.
(2)  Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply to a traditional election advertisement displayed during the campaign period of a general election by reason only that the traditional election advertisement contains the name or image (or both) of a person —
(a)who is a candidate in the general election; and
(b)who has been designated by his or her political party in accordance with paragraph (3) as the leader of all the political party’s candidates in the general election.
(3)  For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) —
(a)each political party may only designate one candidate; and
(b)a designation must be notified to the Returning Officer in the form and manner required by the Returning Officer and before the traditional election advertisement is displayed.
(4)  A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
Lamp posts are permissible locations under section 61I of Act
10.—(1)  Subject to this regulation, a lamp post is a permissible location for the purposes of section 61I of the Act.
(2)  A lamp post is not a permissible location if it is situated within the restricted signage zone of an ordinary polling station or a special polling station.
(3)  A lamp post is not a permissible location if any of the following is installed on the lamp post:
(a)a public sign;
(b)a traffic camera or any other road or traffic infrastructure.
(4)  If a traditional election advertisement is publicly displayed on a lamp post by or on behalf of a candidate in an electoral division (not being a group representation constituency), the next lamp post is not a permissible location for the display of any traditional election advertisement by or on behalf of that candidate.
(5)  If a traditional election advertisement is publicly displayed on a lamp post by or on behalf of any, some or all of the candidates belonging to a group of candidates, the next lamp post is not a permissible location for the display of any traditional election advertisement by or on behalf of any, some or all of the candidates belonging to that group.
(6)  A lamp post is not a permissible location to the extent that the display of a traditional election advertisement on the lamp post would obstruct —
(a)the movement of pedestrians on any footpath; or
(b)the traffic view of drivers of vehicles on a road if the lamp post is situated near any traffic junction.
(7)  A lamp post is not a permissible location to the extent that the display of a traditional election advertisement on the lamp post would obstruct the view of —
(a)any other traditional election advertisement publicly displayed by or on behalf of —
(i)another candidate, not being a candidate belonging to the same group of candidates to which the firstmentioned traditional election advertisement relates; or
(ii)another group of candidates;
(b)any public sign; or
(c)any traffic camera or any other road or traffic infrastructure.
(8)  In this regulation —
“footpath” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Active Mobility Act 2017;
“public body” means a body corporate established by a public Act for the purposes of a public function and includes a Town Council established by section 4 of the Town Councils Act 1988;
“public sign” means any sign that is put up, under or for the purposes of any written law, by the Government or a public body, and includes a traffic sign;
“restricted signage zone” has the meaning given by section 61J(2) and (3) of the Act;
“road” means any public road and any other road to which the public has access;
“traffic sign” includes all signals, warning sign posts, direction posts, signs, lines or other devices for the guidance or direction of persons using roads, whether they are —
(a)permanently put up; or
(b)temporarily put up by any Government department or public body to indicate road closure or that road work is in progress.
Premises or conveyances, etc., with owner’s consent are permissible locations under section 61I of Act
11.—(1)  Subject to this regulation, for the purposes of section 61I of the Act —
(a)before a traditional election advertisement is publicly displayed on any premises, conveyance, thing or structure, consent must be sought from the owner of the premises, conveyance, thing or structure; and
(b)if prior consent is obtained, the premises, conveyance, thing or structure is a permissible location for the display of that advertisement.
(2)  A train is not a permissible location.
(3)  A public service vehicle is not a permissible location unless it is hired solely for the conveyance of one or more persons, being candidates or persons authorised by any candidate, during the campaign period of an election.
(4)  A vehicle is not a permissible location for a candidate (not belonging to any group of candidates at an election) or the political party to which the candidate belongs if —
(a)it is hired by or on behalf of the candidate or the political party to which the candidate belongs;
(b)it is located within 100 metres of an election rally organised by or on behalf of the candidate; and
(c)it is staying or moving within that location for reasons not related to the conveyance of persons attending the election rally.
(5)  A vehicle (whether moving or stationary) is not a permissible location for a candidate (not belonging to any group of candidates at an election) or the political party to which the candidate belongs if —
(a)it is hired by or on behalf of the candidate or the political party to which the candidate belongs; and
(b)it is located within 100 metres of an election rally organised by or on behalf of another candidate.
(6)  A vehicle is not a permissible location for a group of candidates or the political party to which the group belongs if —
(a)it is hired by or on behalf of the group, any candidate belonging to the group, or the political party to which the group belongs;
(b)it is located within 100 metres of an election rally organised by or on behalf of the group or any candidate belonging to the group; and
(c)it is staying or moving within that location for reasons not related to the conveyance of persons attending the election rally.
(7)  A vehicle (whether moving or stationary) is not a permissible location for a group of candidates or the political party to which the group belongs if —
(a)it is hired by or on behalf of the group, any candidate belonging to the group, or the political party to which the group belongs; and
(b)it is located within 100 metres of an election rally organised by or on behalf of another candidate not belonging to that group.
(8)  In this regulation —
“public service vehicle” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961;
“train” has the meaning given by section 2 of the Rapid Transit Systems Act 1995.
Manner of publicly displaying traditional election advertising
12.—(1)  A person commits an offence if —
(a)a person publicly displays, or causes to be publicly displayed, a traditional election advertisement in an electoral division during the campaign period of an election in the electoral division;
(b)the person is, or is doing so on behalf of —
(i)an individual who is a candidate at the election in the electoral division; or
(ii)a political party with one or more candidates at the election in the electoral division;
(c)the traditional election advertisement relates to the election in the electoral division; and
(d)the traditional election advertisement —
(i)is nailed, pasted or inscribed directly on any premises, conveyance, thing or structure, or is otherwise affixed in a manner that significantly damages the premises, conveyance, thing or structure; or
(ii)is not secured in accordance with the conditions specified under regulation 7(2)(e) in the permit for that traditional election advertisement.
(2)  A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
Supplementary provisions for removal and confiscation of traditional election advertising
13.—(1)  Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply if the Returning Officer exercises the Returning Officer’s power under section 61O(3) of the Act to remove or cause to be removed, or stop any public display of, one or more traditional election advertisements.
(2)  A sum of $50 for every traditional election advertisement that is removed or stopped being publicly displayed arising from paragraph (1), is recoverable —
(a)as a debt to the Government; and
(b)from the candidate, or jointly and severally from the candidates in a group of candidates, who has publicly displayed or caused to be publicly displayed the traditional election advertisement.
(3)  The sum recoverable under paragraph (2) from a candidate is treated as part of the election expenses incurred by the candidate.
(4)  The sum recoverable under paragraph (2) from the candidates in a group of candidates —
(a)is treated as part of the election expenses incurred by each of those candidates; and
(b)is, for the purposes of sub‑paragraph (a), apportioned between those candidates —
(i)in the proportion agreed between themselves; or
(ii)in the absence of any agreement between themselves, in equal portions.
(5)  A person commits an offence if the person —
(a)obstructs the Returning Officer from exercising any function under section 61O of the Act; or
(b)obstructs any person from carrying out a direction of the Returning Officer under section 61O(1) of the Act.
(6)  A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (5) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term exceeding 12 months or to both.
Defacement, etc., of traditional election advertising during campaign period
14.—(1)  A person commits an offence if —
(a)the person knowingly destroys, damages, defaces or removes a traditional election advertisement during the campaign period of an election in an electoral division;
(b)the traditional election advertisement is publicly displayed by or on behalf of —
(i)an individual who is a candidate at the election in the electoral division; or
(ii)a political party with one or more candidates at the election in the electoral division; and
(c)the traditional election advertisement relates to the election in the electoral division.
(2)  A person who is guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
(3)  This regulation does not apply to any person —
(a)complying with a direction given by the Returning Officer under section 61O(1) of the Act; or
(b)caused by the Returning Officer under section 61O(3) of the Act to carry out or take steps which are in the Returning Officer’s opinion necessary to secure compliance with a direction given by the Returning Officer under section 61O(1) of the Act.
Removal of traditional election advertising after polling day
15.—(1)  Within 6 days after polling day, a candidate in an election must remove or cause to be removed —
(a)all traditional election advertisements publicly displayed by or on behalf of the candidate; and
(b)all objects (such as cable ties and ropes) used to secure those advertisements for the purposes of their public display.
(2)  Within 6 days after polling day, a candidate belonging to a group of candidates in an election must remove or cause to be removed —
(a)all traditional election advertisements publicly displayed by or on behalf of the group or any candidate belonging to the group; and
(b)all objects (such as cable ties or ropes) used to secure those advertisements for the purposes of their public display.
(3)  A candidate who contravenes paragraph (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.