Quirks of Singapore's Elections
Supporters of the Worker's Party attend a campaign rally at Punggol Field Walk in Singapore.
Photographer: Nicky Loh/BloombergWith wall-to-wall coverage of the U.S. presidential election campaign, you could be forgiven for missing the fact that Singapore is also going to the polls. Here are five quirky things about the country's general election, which like some other processes in the island state, is a bit different.
All Singaporeans who are 21 or over have to vote on election day or stand to lose their right to vote in subsequent polls. A list of people who didn't vote is published by the elections department after the ballot, and offenders are removed from the register of electors. Getting back on the ledger is possible only if you have a valid reason for not having voted, like delivering a baby, or are willing to pay S$50 ($35).