The first Singaporean expatriate to vote from the Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore in Dubai for their country’s upcoming general elections will also be the first to do so worldwide, country’s envoy told Gulf News.
Dubai’s Consulate of Singapore is officially the first overseas polling station in the Middle East that will enable Singaporean residents to vote for their country’s upcoming elections, which are set for September 11, Umej Bhatia, Singapore’s Ambassador to the UAE, told Gulf News.
“Embassies in Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States will, however, have early voting on September 10 given the vast time differences. But of all these three countries, Dubai has the least time difference with Singapore.”
“This means that whoever casts their vote from the Consulate in Dubai will be the first Singaporean to have undergone their right of political participation worldwide,” he explained.
Another reason behind instigating the early voting initiative is to ensure that residents have 12 hours (8am-8pm) to cast their vote just as Singaporeans back home are entitled to. This wouldn’t have happened if the elections were to take place on Friday due to time differences, he added. Details