SINGAPORE – The paper ballots and different paperwork used within the July 10 Basic Election final yr might be destroyed on Jan 16, the Elections Division (ELD) stated on Monday (Jan 11).
In accordance with the Parliamentary Elections Act, the ballots and paperwork have been stored in sealed containers and saved within the Supreme Courtroom for the obligatory six-month interval because the election occurred.
The ELD stated that is to make sure the secrecy of the vote.
The containers might be taken to the Tuas South Incineration Plant to be incinerated on Saturday.
On Oct 5 final yr, the ELD stated in a press release {that a} copy of the register of electors for polling district PN23 of Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC was by chance sealed in a field containing poll papers.
By order of President Halimah Yacob, the field might be opened on the Supreme Courtroom so the register will be retrieved for the aim of getting ready the checklist of electors in that polling district who didn’t vote on the election, the ELD stated on Monday.
“Thereafter, the field might be re-sealed and despatched for destruction, along with the opposite containers,” it added.
The ELD additional stated that, as a consequence of Covid-19, it will likely be setting up secure distancing measures in the course of the proceedings on the Supreme Courtroom and the incineration plant, together with limiting the variety of representatives from political events who will be current as witnesses.
The division stated it has contacted the assorted political events and requested them to appoint their respective representatives.
