Singapore Gets first female president without voting

Singaporeans were meant to go to the polls at the end of next week to vote for a new president, but Former Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob has emerged victorious 'by default' after other presidential hopefuls fell foul of new rules.

Halimah will be Singapore's first female president, however, "All Singaporeans are unhappy that meritocracy and electoral fairness, core Singaporean values, have been eroded to fulfil perceived political goals."

While the office of president is largely a ceremonial role in Singapore, he or she has power to veto some of the government's decisions, for example in fiscal matters that touch on the country's reserves, or key appointments in the public service.

“I’m a president for everyone. Although there’s no election, my commitment to serve you remains the same,” she said.

"The only beneficiaries from this reserved presidential election are Halimah Yacob and her team, as well as Singapore's opposition, which now has a new line of attack against the PAP (People's Action Party).

The rest of Singapore has suffered," Sudhir Vadaketh, a Singapore author and commentator, told CNN. Halimah was, until recently, a loyal member of the ruling PAP, which dominates Singaporean politics.

UCJ, UNILORIN.