GE2025: Is my vote really secret?

As Singaporeans prepare to head to the polls on May 3, some might be wondering: “Is my vote really secret?”

To answer this question, The Straits Times looks at how ballot papers are collected, counted and accounted for on Polling Day and in the days after.

This is part of a series of explainers and listicles The Straits Times has put together ahead of the polls.

Let’s start with the question: Why is there a serial number on each ballot paper?

The serial number

A serial number on the ballot paper allows for the accounting of all ballot papers issued and cast, and guards against counterfeiting and voter impersonation.

When the ballot paper is issued, the voter serial number is written on the ballot paper counterfoil to facilitate the detection of illegally cast votes if necessary.

These serial numbers also allow the authorities to verify that only eligible voters have voted – for instance, in the event of a court order following an election petition or a challenge to the result.

But ballot papers may be examined only under strict conditions, and safeguards are in place to make it difficult to find out how any particular individual voted.

Such an order will only be given if the court is satisfied that votes were fraudulently cast or that counterfeit ballot papers were used in a way that affects the election results.

Before polls open

Steps are taken at every polling station to ensure that votes are kept secret.

Before polls open at 8am on Polling Day, election officials must show the candidates and polling agents at their station that the ballot boxes and their covers are empty.

And before the start of the poll, the boxes are sealed in such a way that ballot papers cannot be removed without breaking the tamper-proof seals. 

After polls close

Once voting ends at 8pm on Polling Day, the slits in the ballot boxes – through which voters drop their marked ballot papers – are sealed to prevent anything else from being dropped in.

When election officials have sealed the ballot boxes after polls close, candidates may affix their seals or sign on the ballot boxes.

Candidates may also observe the transport of the sealed ballot boxes, which is carried out under police escort from the polling station to the designated counting centre. Police officers will guard the ballot boxes throughout the journey.

As votes are counted

Votes are counted by hand at counting centres – typically schools or community centres – across Singapore.

At the counting centre, candidates may once again inspect the ballot boxes before they are opened.

This time, it is to check that all boxes are accounted for and that the seals have not been tampered with.

The seals are then broken, the ballot papers poured out, sorted and counted.

The emptied ballot boxes are also shown to candidates.

The ink from the X-stamp that voters can use to mark their votes is permanent and cannot be erased.

To ensure the security of the votes, there is no break in the chain of custody of the ballot papers from the polling stations to the counting centres, and from the counting centres to the Supreme Court. 

If ballot papers are lost or destroyed before counting, and the number of missing votes affects the result, fresh polls will be held.

In such a scenario, all voters assigned to the affected polling station will have to recast their votes.

This has never happened in Singapore.

When the result is announced

Once the election result is announced by the Returning Officer, all ballot papers and other election documents are placed into boxes and sealed.

These boxes are stored in the vault at the Supreme Court for six months before being destroyed.

For transparency, candidates and their agents may observe the destruction of the boxes.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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