SINGAPORE — The Workers' Party (WP) on Wednesday (Aug 30) said that it does not endorse any candidate in the coming Presidential Election and reiterated its objection to the elected presidency.

"The Workers’ Party believes that the current qualifying criteria for presidential candidates is skewed towards PAP (People's Action Party)-approved candidates and the EP (elected presidency) in its current form undermines parliamentary democracy," the party said in a statement sent to media.

"It also serves as an unnecessary source of gridlock — one that could potentially cripple a non-PAP government within its first term — and is an alternative power centre that could lead to political impasses."

The WP also said that it has consistently voiced its objection to and called for the abolishment of the elected presidency and to revert to a ceremonial presidency, and that it had been the party’s position for over three decades. 

The WP added that it does not call upon its members or volunteers to assist any of the presidential candidates in any official capacity either. 

WP's statement comes after 2011 presidential candidate and Progress Singapore Party (PSP) founder Tan Cheng Bock announced his support of Mr Tan Kin Lian, adding that the endorsement was in his "personal capacity" and that he was not there as a politician for this election. 

PSP secretary-general Leong Mun Wai had since issued a memo to party members to assure them that the party will not be endorsing any candidate for the Presidential Election.

In the memo, Mr Leong said that PSP’s stance on the issue was “because we support the principles that the President, as a symbol of the unity of Singapore, is meant to be independent and non-partisan”.

CHEE SOON JUAN TO VOTE FOR 'IMPERFECT' TAN KIN LIAN

Apart from Dr Tan Cheng Bock, several other opposition party members have stepped forward to endorse Mr Tan Kin Lian as their presidential candidate of choice. 

Mr Lim Tean, founder and secretary-general of the Peoples Voice party, is the official seconder of Mr Tan’s campaign. 

People’s Power Party founder and leader Goh Meng Seng also voiced his support for the former NTUC income chief after appearing with Mr Tan’s supporters at the Nomination Centre on Nomination Day. 

On Wednesday morning, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) secretary-general Chee Soon Juan joined these opposition party leaders in expressing his intention to vote for Mr Tan, despite stating that he is an “imperfect” choice. 

Dr Chee said in a post on his Facebook page that he had “initially planned to vote” for Mr Tan, but had found himself “wavering in my support of his candidacy” as he disagreed with Mr Tan on key issues like raising the voting age to 30. 

Mr Tan had since clarified in a Facebook post that he would not advocate for raising the voting age and that "after further reflection", he believes it is "better to lower the voting age to 18 years". 

Dr Chee also denounced Mr Tan’s “pretty girls” remarks, but added that he believes the 75-year-old’s views are “not immutable”, and that he “can be educated through debate and discussion to see things differently”.

“For all that he has expressed, much of which as I pointed out I vehemently disagree with, Mr Tan Kin Lian is a good man. I share his views on CPF (Central Provident Fund), high salaries of elected officials, and National Service,” he said. 

The SDP leader also urged Singaporeans not to cast spoiled votes come Polling Day, likening it to “standing around and watching while a house is on fire”. 

“At this crucial juncture of our country’s development, we cannot afford to remain a bystander and do nothing,” Dr Chee said.

“As imperfect as the choice on Friday is, if it helps to 'build a democratic society, based on justice and equality', then it should be clear who we choose," he added.

The high-profile backings of Mr Tan from notable opposition party leaders have raised concerns among political experts that the Presidential Election may become "politicised" despite the presidency being a non-partisan office.

Singaporeans will head to the polls for the Presidential Election on Friday.