Next Singapore election to see ballot counting machines, e-registration of voters: ELD
Mechanical counting machines will be deployed for Singapore’s next election in order to speed up the “counting process and improve efficiency”.
The machines used will be similar to those employed by “establishments that need to handle and count banknotes”, said the Elections Department (ELD) in a news release on Thursday (22 November).
It noted that the new equipment would be “stand-alone mechanical counting machines” that are not connected to the internet.
“They are not electronic voting machines. Hard copy paper-based Ballot Papers will continue to be used at the election,” said the ELD.
The department also emphasised that the current process of “sorting, stacking and adjudication of votes” will remain unchanged, even with the use of the new machines.
However, a new step will see each counting assistant taking a pile of sorted ballot papers, using the mechanical counting machine to count 100 ballot papers and then handing the counted pile to another assistant for verification using another machine.
Each counting assistant will need to independently achieve one count of 100 before the ballot count is confirmed and ballot papers are bundled.
“Accuracy checks of the counting machines will be conducted before the commencement of count at the counting centres. Candidates and their appointed counting assistants present at the counting centres will be invited to witness the conduct of these accuracy checks,” said the ELD.
Electronic registration of voters
The ELD also announced that the electronic registration of voters will be implemented at the next election. Describing the process as similar to having one’s identity card scanned at polyclinics, the move will help to shorten waiting time for voters at polling stations”.
An electronic version of the Polling Station Register will be loaded into standalone devices used for e-Registration at polling stations. These devices will not be connected to any network to protect them from potential cyberattacks.
“To assure voters of the integrity and secrecy of the voting process, the new process allows registered voters to approach any available counter within the polling station to receive a ballot paper and to deposit their marked ballot papers into any available ballot box of their choice,” said the ELD.
“The polling station layout will be redesigned to separate the voters’ registration and ballot papers issuance processes.”
Roadshows will also be conducted by the ELD, similar to those prior to last year’s Presidential Election, to educate voters on the new e-registration process.
Procurement activities
In preparation for the next General Election (GE), the ELD will also be making procurements for goods and services such as bus transportation to ferry election officials, electoral documents and paraphernalia, as well as ICT-related infrastructure to support the election operations.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong dropped a hint during the People’s Action Party’s biennial conference that the next GE could be held as early as next year.
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