ELD dismisses ‘disappearing ink’ allegations regarding X-Stamp for PE2023 poll

SINGAPORE: The Elections Department (ELD) has reaffirmed that the marks produced by the X-stamp, slated for use on the ballot paper during the Presidential Election on Friday (1 September), will endure permanently.

Addressing a renewed wave of misleading information circulating on the internet, the ELD released a statement on Thursday (31 Aug).

This statement was intended to debunk the resurgence of false claims suggesting that the newly introduced X-stamp for voting purposes had been subjected to a treatment involving “disappearing ink.”

To dispel these misconceptions, the ELD emphatically emphasized that the claims of disappearing ink associated with the X-stamp are untrue.

“The marks made using the X-stamp are permanent. The ink used in the X-stamp is oil-based and is water and temperature resistant.”

The ELD highlighted that The new improved X-stamp, which is wider and more clearly intended to serve as a stamp, will be used in PE2023.

It is not compulsory to use the X-stamp and voters may bring their own pens to mark the ballot papers.

“ELD is committed to ensuring voting security and secrecy and has put in place rigorous controls at every step of the voting process to ensure this.”

Singaporeans cast their vote on Friday to elect their ninth president from three candidates

In a separate statement, the ELD also observed that as polling commenced on Friday morning, certain polling stations across the island experienced the formation of queues.

Given that the voting process will extend until 8 pm, the ELD has offered guidance to voters, suggesting that they consider arriving at their designated polling stations later in the day, particularly during the afternoon hours when queues typically tend to be shorter.

“We seek voters’ patience and understanding as we clear the morning queue, ” said ELD.

There are a total of 2,709,455 eligible voters in the updated voter rolls – an increase of over 55,000 people from the 2,653,942 electors in GE2020.

On Friday, Singaporeans will be voting to elect their ninth president from three candidates: Mr Ng Kok Song (75), the former GIC investment chief; Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam (66), a former senior minister of the People’s Action Party; and Mr Tan Kin Lian (75), the former NTUC Income chief.