Politicos were up early this morning to drop by the Elections Department along Prinsep Link to pick up their nomination forms, just a day after President Tony Tan dissolved Parliament and issued a Writ of Election.

Now that there’s only 16 days left till Polling Day (Sep 1),  the various political parties are moving quickly to ensure that everything is in order for them to start their various election campaigns. TODAY reports that representatives from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), National Solidarity Party (NSP), Reform Party (RP) and Workers’ Party (WP) have all collected their forms promptly this morning.

But forget about them for now — three unexpected individuals also arrived at the Elections Department this morning to pick up their nomination forms, all of whom are planning to contest as independent candidates for seats in Parliament. Check out who these characters are:

Shirwin Eu, Uber driver

Photo: Shirwin Eu Facebook page

This random dude was the first to dude to pick up his form this morning, probably because he called for drove an Uber service. The 32-year-old first-timer plans to contest in Bukit Panjang — just take a gander at what issues he plans to fight for in his campaign. That’s right, his experience as an Uber driver will of course help him in his fight for better transportation policies.

His track record:

Reporter: Why did you join this election?

Eu: Uhh, because I hope to be elected.

Ooi Boon Ewe, perennial candidate

Oh boy, this dude again. Since 1999, Ooi has been active in his repeated attempts at getting into the political arena, and since 1999 Ooi has never been successful in any of it. Once again, he sang his own jolly General Election jingle. You gotta give it to him though, his determination game is pretty on point.

His track record:

– Tried to contest in the ’99 presidential elections; Elections Department declined to issue him a certificate of eligibility.

– Contested in Joo Chiat SMC in the 2001 General Elections against PAP’s Chan Soo Sen, but only managed to garner 16.45 percent of the votes.

– Denied again for the certificate of eligibility for the ’05 presidential elections on grounds of inexperience.

– Formed his own party — People’s Liberal Democratic Party — for the ’06 General Election. But he formed it four days after Nomination Day so that failed.

– Wanted to contest in the Sengkang West SMC in the ’11 General Elections (and even sang an impromptu election jingle) but failed to submit his nomination papers because one of his assentors failed to turn up that day.

– Tried to contest for the ’11 presidential election, but was ineligible because his application was incomplete.

– Dropped out of the ’13 by-election in Punggol East, claiming he lost his political donation certificate and his driver made off with his deposit money.

Zeng Guo Yuan (AKA Parrot Man)

Many would know who this very entertaining character is. This 64-year-old Singaporean businessman, philanthropist, politician and former acupuncturist has been a contentious personality since 1991.

His track record: 

– Member of Workers’ Party and contested in the ’91 General Elections in the Bukit Timah SMC, but dropped out. Later on he revealed that he only contested to gain publicity for his acupuncture business.

– Unsuccessfully ran for the Mountbatten SMC in the ’06 General Elections.

– Intended to contest in the ’12 by-election but could not contest due an offense in 2008 — verbally abusing two police officers. He argued that it was his parrot that hurled all those vulgarities. Also, he didn’t file nomination papers anyway.

– Opened a shop at Toa Payoh. Annoyed/amused residents by singing loudly, watching television with the volume turned up,putting up a giant green banner with the letters ‘FCUK’, practises boxing with his punching bag daily.

– Decided not to contest in the ’13 by-election as he suspected a conspiracy against him, and wanted to give way to better candidates.

– Underwent surgery to remove his nose in 2014 due to nose cancer.

– Currently peddles tissue paper outside a Chinese temple at Waterloo Street.