THE Government is making it easier for Singaporeans based overseas to vote at the next General Elections (GE).

Overseas voting was introduced for the first time in the 2006 GE.

1,017 Singaporeans registered as overseas voters but only 553 from 16 contested constituencies eventually exercised their right to vote.

Residency requirement relaxed

The residency requirement for example, will be relaxed.

Currently, to be eligible to vote overseas, the Singaporean must have resided in Singapore for an aggregate of two years during a five year period.

To allow more to qualify, the criteria has been relaxed such that a Singaporean, at least 21 years of age, must have resided in Singapore for at least 30 days during a three year period.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, who's also Home Affairs Minister said : 'We believe that it is reasonable to expect overseas Singaporeans to come home to visit their families and friends for at least 30 days over a 3 year period, given that most citizens working abroad would have an average of 21 days annual leave'.

Disqualification of electors removed

The criteria for disqualification of electors will also be removed.

Feedback from Singaporeans residing in the UK was that they could not take part in Singapore elections because Commonwealth law required them to put their names on the register of Electors in the UK.

Current Singapore law states that as long as a Singaporean has his name entered in the Register of Electors in another country, they cannot take part in the GE here.

This law will be removed.

Other changes include - Extending the registration period so overseas voters have more time to register to vote and allowing online registration.

One more overseas Polling Station will be added.

It'll be in New York city, adding to the current eight in places like Washington DC, Canberra and Beijing.

Mr Wong said the Elections Department will also improve on its public education making use of new media such as video streaming online.

There'll be a 24-hour professional call centre during the election period to handle queries from local and overseas voters.

While election agents can look forward to among other things, a new guide book and e-services.

Steps will also be taken to come up with contingency planning in case of threats such as a natural calamity that may disrupt election proceedings.

'The Elections Department will consult the Attorney-General's Chambers on the legislative changes to effect these improvements. When ready, Amendment Bills will be presented to Parliament for approval,' said Mr Wong.