SINGAPORE - The hunt for a new batch of Nominated MPs closed on Friday (July 6) with the Office of the Clerk of Parliament receiving 48 proposal forms after a month-long call for names.

This is up from the 41 names submitted in 2016.

Among those who are vying for the NMP posts this time round are fine arts lecturer Woon Tien Wei and founder of a not-for-profit arts group Felicia Low, who both announced on June 25 that they were seeking to represent the arts sector.

The general secretary of the Singapore Port Workers Union Arasu Duraisamy was also nominated by the labour movement for the role.

Meanwhile, the People's Association had nominated four people to represent the civic and people sector, said a PA spokesman. She declined to name the four.

They are among the names proposed by seven functional groups representing business and industry; the professions; labour movement; social service organisations; civic and people sector; tertiary education institutions; and media, arts and sports organisations.

Besides these groups, the public was also invited to submit names by the eight-member Special Select Committee tasked to select NMPs.

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The committee, chaired by Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, had called for submissions on June 4. It will now go through the list of 48 candidates to select suitable nominees who have rendered distinguished public service, brought honour to Singapore, or have distinguished themselves in their respective field.

In shortlisting the candidates, the committee will seek the views of MPs on those whose names have been put up. It will then interview the candidates.

A person is qualified for appointment as an NMP if he or she is Singaporean, aged 21 or above and on the current register of electors.

Among other requirements, he or she should also be able to take active part in Parliament proceedings.

The NMP scheme, introduced in 1990, is meant to provide alternative views in Parliament. There can be up to nine NMPs each term, lasting two and a half years, and the current term ends in September.