56D. Counting of votes by overseas electors

Amended

Last amended by an amending law of 2023.

(1)

The votes cast at all overseas polling stations or by the postal voting method (collectively called in this section and section 56E overseas votes) must be counted at such place or places in Singapore and at such time as the Returning Officer directs.

(2)

The Returning Officer must cause notice of every direction issued under subsection (1) to be published in the Gazette at least 2 clear days before polling day in Singapore.

(3)

Every sealed ballot box containing votes cast at an overseas polling station, and every vote cast by the postal voting method, at an election in an electoral division must, in order for those votes to be counted in the election, be received by the Returning Officer in Singapore within 10 days after polling day in Singapore for the election.

(4)

Subject to subsection (3), the Returning Officer must arrange for the counting of the overseas votes in the presence of the candidates and their counting agents as attend as soon as practicable after the Returning Officer has received in Singapore —

(a)

all the sealed ballot boxes used at overseas polling stations during the poll; and

(b)

all the votes cast by the postal voting method.

(5)

Despite section 49(2), the number of counting agents that may be appointed under section 49(1) to attend —

(a)

the counting of overseas votes at the counting place as directed under subsection (1); or

(b)

the pre-count examination of postal voting papers under section 56C,must not exceed 5 or any other higher number prescribed in substitution by regulations made under section 56F for either paragraph (a) or (b) or both.

(6)

Subject to regulations made under section 56F, the counting of votes cast by overseas electors must be conducted, as far as practicable, in the same manner as that in which counting of votes cast at ordinary polling stations is conducted.