If contested, the next Presidential Election, which has been reserved for Malay candidates, will be held in September rather than in August, which is when voting typically takes place, Channel NewsAsia reported Monday.

According to the report Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Chan Chun Sing, announced the date in Parliament during the second reading of the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill.

The minister said that voting for a new president has typically been held in the last week of August, to ensure the process falls within the term of the sitting President, which ends on Aug 31.

Chan said campaigning began shortly after National Day, and coincided with the month-long National Day celebrations.

The revised timing would ensure the election is not held during the celebrations.

For the upcoming election, Chan said that the government will issue a Writ in the later part of August, before President Tony Tan's term expires.

The shift of the election from August to September will also "reset the clock" so that future elections will take place outside the National Day period.

Chan said that the Constitution allows for an acting President to assume office from the end of the incumbent President's term until a new President assumes office.

"If a new President is not elected by the time President Tony Tan's term expires on Aug 31... the Constitution provides for the Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers or, if he is unavailable, the Speaker, to be the acting President.

"The acting President cannot exercise the functions of the President indefinitely," he was quoted as saying.

Another change being proposed is that nomination day be held at least 10 days after the day the Writ is issued, up from the current five days, the report said. -- Bernama