Singapore sets presidential election nomination, polling day

SINGAPORE, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) 

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has issued the writ of presidential election, setting the nomination day on Aug. 22, according to a statement released by the country's Elections Department on Friday.

The presidential polls will fall on September 1, if more than one candidate qualifies to run for presidency, said the statement.

Tan Meng Dui, chief executive officer of the Housing and Development Board, will serve as the returning officer.

Four potential candidates, including former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, entrepreneur George Goh, senior investor Ng Kok Song, and former income chief of the National Trades Union Congress Tan Kin Lian, have launched bids for the post, according to local media.

 Incumbent President Halimah Yacob will end her six-year term on September 13.