Singaporean presidential election, 1993
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The Singaporean presidential election of 1993 was the first presidential election held in Singapore. Polling day was 28 August 1993. Former Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong became Singapore's first directly elected President. He defeated former Accountant-General Chua Kim Yeow, with a vote share of 58.69% to 41.31%.
In January 1991, the Constitution of Singapore was amended to provide for the popular election of the President. The creation of the elected presidency was a major constitutional and political change in Singapore's history as, under the revision, the President is empowered to veto the use of government reserves and appointments to key civil service appointments. He or she can also examine the administration's enforcement of the Internal Security Act and Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, and look into investigations of corruption.
By virtue of transitional provisions in the Singapore Constitution, Ong's predecessor Wee Kim Wee exercised, performed and discharged all the functions, powers and duties of an elected president as if he had been elected to the office of President by the citizens of Singapore, until Ong took office.
Candidates needed to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Presidential Elections Committee and pay an election deposit of S$18,000 to file their nomination papers. Ong had earlier resigned the deputy prime ministership to contest in the election. Ong was backed by influential leaders such as then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
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