Shock and scrutiny have surrounded the discovery of a single registered voter in polling district EC42 of Tampines Changkat SMC — a rare electoral anomaly in Singapore’s voting landscape.
The voter, a 53-year-old man surnamed Yeo, was identified after AsiaOne conducted a ground investigation into the unusual circumstance, which had initially baffled many due to the area’s expected population.
The Electoral Boundary Review Committee (EBRC) had on 11 March, 2025, released its latest report indicating that EC42, formerly part of East Coast GRC, had only one registered voter.
This voter turned out to be a man by the surname of Yeo, who, as AsiaOne found, had used a Tampines industrial unit as his residential address.
The polling district EC42 comprises several new Build-To-Order (BTO) projects, SAFRA Tampines, industrial buildings, and an international school. However, most residential developments are still unoccupied, with renovations only beginning in February 2025.
Mr Yeo confirmed to AsiaOne that he had changed his official address from central Singapore to the industrial unit over 20 years ago, following his takeover of his family’s business, which operates from the unit. The block in Tampines Industrial Park A is not zoned for residential use.
The industrial block was previously assigned to polling district EC03, which covers a large number of housing blocks in East Coast GRC, but was reclassified under EC42 in the new SMC following recent electoral boundary adjustments. This reallocation inadvertently contributed to Yeo becoming the sole voter in EC42.
“I don’t live here. It’s for business convenience,” Yeo admitted, explaining that his work commitments required him to spend long hours at the unit, leading him to register it as his address.
Under the National Registration Act, individuals are required to report a change of address within 28 days of moving into a new place of residence. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) clarified that a residential address must reflect the physical location where one lives.
According to ICA, government agencies rely on these records for essential administrative matters, including voter registration and public communication. It emphasised the responsibility of IC holders to declare their true place of residence.
While ICA acknowledged that enforcement is challenging, as verifying every address is operationally unfeasible, it noted that premise owners also bear responsibility for preventing the misuse of properties for unauthorised residential purposes.
The agency has now initiated an investigation into Yeo’s case. Under the National Registration Act, those who falsely declare their address or fail to update it may face a fine of up to S$5,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
Another layer of concern is the privacy of Yeo’s ballot.
Being the only voter in EC42, his vote could theoretically be known if the constituency is contested, raising concerns about voter anonymity — a cornerstone of electoral integrity.
As of 14 February 2025, the Elections Department (ELD) had updated the register of electors.
Given the short time between key collection at the new BTOs and this date, it is unlikely that any residents from the new flats had changed their address in time to be included.
Consequently, Yeo remains the only eligible voter in this polling district. Should an election be contested in Tampines Changkat SMC, he will likely vote at a station in a neighbouring polling district, according to ELD protocols.
Meanwhile, Yeo has stated he is unaware of the identity of the current Member of Parliament for the SMC and has shown little concern about his unique electoral situation. He expressed interest only in maintaining the family business, which he manages on behalf of his elderly parents.
Despite the public interest and legal implications, ICA has not disclosed a timeline for concluding its investigation, citing ongoing inquiries.
The post Sole voter in Tampines Changkat SMC staying in industrial unit appeared first on The Online Citizen.
