Key days, announcements to look out for in lead-up to polls

Writ of Election, once issued, will pave way for key dates to be revealed

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan

Since the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee's (EBRC) report was released on March 11, political parties have been hitting the streets and stepping up their activities in the heartland.

Amid the flurry of action, political parties are awaiting the starting gun: The Writ of Election, which, once issued, will pave the way for key dates to be revealed — most important of all, when Singaporeans will head to the polls.

The president will dissolve Parliament and issue the Writ. This is done on the advice of the prime minister.

In previous elections, the time between the release of the EBRC's report and the issuance of the Writ has varied. In 2020, it took more than three months, and in 2015, it took just over a month. The shortest interval — of just one day — was for the 2001 General Election.

In the lead-up to the polls, The Straits Times has put together a series of related explainers and listicles. Here are the key days and announcements to look out for in the upcoming general election:

THE WRIT OF ELECTION

The Writ of Election is a formal written order that will state the details of Nomination Day. Details of Polling Day will be announced shortly after.

By law, Nomination Day must be held at least five days (excluding Sundays and public holidays), or at most one month, after the date of the Writ.