Breakdown of Spending on Organising and Running General Elections in 2011, 2015 and 2020 Respectively

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Prime Minister how much is the Government's spending on organising and running the General Elections in 2011, 2015 and 2020 respectively, including but not limited to, the cost of manpower, security, publicity and materials.

The expenditures incurred by the Elections Department (ELD) for the 2011, 2015 and 2020 General Elections were $13.5 million, $23.2 million and $30.3 million respectively.

Across elections, expenditure will fluctuate depending on manpower, info-communications technology, transport and other logistical needs. For example, GE2015 was fully contested, unlike GE2011, and more election officials were deployed. Higher logistics costs were also incurred as election equipment, such as polling booths and counting tables, were due for replacement. In GE2020, which was held during the COVID-19 pandemic, almost $8 million was spent on safe management measures.