Tan Cheng Bock biggest spender in PE

Presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock was the biggest spender over the nine days of campaigning during the Presidential Election in August.

He spent $585,045.03 on his campaign. Of which, more than 86 per cent went to traditional publicity material such as posters as well as other newer means such as smartphone applications, reported Channel NewsAsia.

The four candidates' expenses were made available for inspection at the Elections Department on Tuesday.

President Tony Tan, who received 35.19 per cent of the votes during the polls, was the next highest spender at $503,070.

The president spent 58 per cent on promotional material, such as the black-framed spectacle magnets and caps, and some S$50,000 on new media advertisements, such as those found on Google and Facebook.

Former civil servant Tan Jee Say spent more than S$162,337, with nearly 45 per cent of it on advertising and publicity, while former NTUC income chief Tan Kin Lian was the smallest spender at $70,912.16.