SINGAPORE – A printing vendor recently struck by a ransomware attack has been assigned to produce essential materials like poll cards and ballot papers for the upcoming General Election 2025 (GE2025). The Elections Department (ELD) has assured the public that election operations remain unaffected.

In a recent media response, the ELD confirmed that as of April 8, they have not provided any voter data to Toppan Next Tech (TNT), the vendor in question. The department stressed that they are actively collaborating with TNT to bolster its processes and mitigate potential cybersecurity risks stemming from the recent attack.

A spokesperson for the ELD stated, “ELD will closely monitor the situation and continue to work with TNT to ensure the integrity of GE-related operations is upheld.”

The ransomware incident occurred on April 1, impacting TNT and compromising the data of over 11,000 customers linked to two of its banking clients: DBS Bank and the Bank of China's Singapore branch. The attack has raised alarms, prompting discussions about cybersecurity in the electoral process, especially given the importance of protecting voter information.

Upon discovering the breach, the ELD immediately launched an investigation to assess whether any department-related operations were infiltrated. Preliminary inquiries revealed no indications of compromised data.

Toppan promptly reported the attack to the Personal Data Protection Commission on April 6, and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore is currently aiding the company with investigations and advising them on necessary containment measures. This is particularly critical as Toppan had successfully managed printing services during the 2023 Presidential Election, including the production of poll cards.

Interestingly, Toppan's past performance was not without flaws. Witnesses recount that in the 2023 elections, over 4,800 households in Tanjong Pagar GRC received two poll cards each due to the vendor mistakenly sending out test prints alongside the actual cards.

As the countdown to GE2025 progresses, the public is urged to stay vigilant as the ELD prepares for a smoothly conducted election while adjusting to the evolving threats in the digital landscape. This incident underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in safeguarding democracy.