How Singapore’s quirky election system works

Singaporeans vote in snap elections on Friday that the opposition hopes will dramatically boost its presence in parliament  and challenge half a century of ruling party domination. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called for polls 16 months ahead of schedule  to secure a fresh mandate for the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has been in power for 56 years and is widely expected to win another majority. It will be Singapore’s first election without independence leader Lee Kuan  Yew - the father of the current premier - who is credited with Singapore’s  rapid rise to prosperity when he was in power for three decades.

Here are five quirky things about the country’s general election, which like some other processes in the island state, is a bit different.

Compulsory voting

All Singaporeans who are 21 or over have to vote on election day or stand to lose their right to vote in subsequent polls. Getting back on the ledger is possible only if you have a valid reason for not having voted, like delivering a baby, or are willing to pay S$50 ($35).

For many Singaporeans, Friday will be the first time they get to vote, as opposition parties will contest every parliamentary seat for the first time since independence in 1965. A record 2.5 million Singaporeans will be at the ballot boxes this year, according to the Elections Department.