Tory Tan won the Presidential Election in Singapore to become the Country’s Seventh President

Former Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan won the presidential election in Singapore to become the  country’s seventh President.  The results were declared on 28 August 2011. Tan received 35 percent of about 2.1 million votes in the election. Tory Tan was backed by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

The election was Singapore’s first contested vote for President since 1993. The post of President in Singapore is mainly a ceremonial position in the country’s parliamentary government.

The PAP maintains a large majority in Parliament, with 81 of 87 seats. Singapore’s constitution allows the President to veto the use of the country’s reserves and some public office appointments. However, he doesn’t give the post any executive authority.  Tan won a six-year term as head of state and will succeed outgoing President SR Nathan.  In Singapore, Presidents have a largely ceremonial role and mainly act on the advice of the Cabinet. There were four contenders for the Presidential race. He served as Minister at the helm of key portfolios like Education, Defence and Finance.