Singaporeans vote for president

Singaporeans have begun voting for president in an election seen as a referendum on the popularity of the ruling party.

Polls will remain open until 8pm Saturday (1200 GMT), and results are scheduled to be announced a few hours later.

The presidency is largely a ceremonial position in Singapore's parliamentary government.

The four candidates, all surnamed Tan, are the most since Singapore began electing its president by popular vote in 1993.

The People's Action Party has been in power since 1959, but its vote total in parliamentary elections in May fell to the lowest since Singapore split from Malaysia in 1965.

Candidate and former deputy prime minister Tony Tan is backed by most of the political establishment.

Other candidates vying for the post include Tan Cheng Bock, a former PAP member of parliament and a medical doctor; Tan Kin Lian, a former insurance company executive; and Tan Jee Say, an opposition politician.