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First step of Presidential race begins next Wed

Anyone who wishes to be considered a candidate for the Singapore Presidential Election can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from next Wednesday, 1 June.

Applications will close on the third day after a writ is issued for the Presidential Election, said the Elections Department on Friday.

The government also announced the setting up of the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC), which will be chaired by chairman of the Public Service Commission, Mr Eddie Teo.

Ms Chan Lai Fung, chairman of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, and Mr Sat Pal Khattar, a member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights complete the three-member committee.

All potential candidates must meet stringent criteria and win the approval of the Committee.

In the 2005 election, three aspiring candidates, one of whom was former Jurong Town Corporation group chief financial officer Andrew Kuan, failed to fulfill the criteria, allowing current President S R Nathan to be elected unopposed for a second time.

The criteria includes being at least a 45-year-old Singapore citizen who does not belong to any political party.

It is also compulsory for candidates to have served for at least three years in a key appointment such as a minister, chief justice, auditor general or permanent secretary -- or been the chairman or CEO of a statutory board or a company with a paid-up capital of at least S$100 million.

Earlier this week, former PAP MP Dr Tan Cheng Bock signalled he was keen to contest the Election.

The 71-year-old said, "Many people have been urging me to stand as president, and I am very honoured. But there are rules I have to follow. One rule is I must apply for the certificate of eligibility first."

Former NTUC Income CEO Tan Kin Lian, whom some netizens have suggested as a potential presidential candidate, told Yahoo! Singapore on Friday, "I will not be contesting the election."

Who do you think should run as President? Have your say here.

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