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Singapore sets Sept. 23 as presidential election date

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (KUNA) -- Singaporeans will vote for their eighth president on September 23, provided that more than one person qualifies to run for the honorary post, the elections department announced Monday.
The presidential candidates will be nominated on September 13 after Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong decided to hold elections, read a statement by the department Meanwhile, if there is only one eligible candidate, he or she will be declared president on nomination day, the statement clarified.
Under a constitutional amendment passed by Singapore's ethnically diverse parliament, the position of president will be reserved for candidates from a particular ethnic group, if no one from that group has been president for five consecutive terms.
Among the city-state's population of 5.6 million, 2.9 million are ethnic Chinese, 526,000 ethnic Malay and 357,000 ethnic Indian.
The president is relegated to a ceremonial role but wields veto power over the use of financial reserves and the appointment of civil servants. (end) aab.nam