Singapore's Pivotal Election: Will the Ruling Party Maintain Its Grip Amid Economic Challenges?
Singaporeans Cast Votes in Crucial General Election
On Saturday, Singaporeans participated in a highly anticipated general election, where the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) aims to secure a renewed mandate amidst growing global economic uncertainties, particularly due to US tariffs impacting China, Singapore's largest trading partner.
By noon, voter turnout reached approximately 48% of the 2.63 million registered voters.
Polling commenced at 8 AM local time across 1,240 designated stations, with the booths scheduled to close at 8 PM, and results are anticipated later in the evening.
As of the midday update, the Elections Department reported that 1,261,449 Singaporeans had already cast their votes at polling locations throughout the island. The total number of registered voters stands at 2,758,846.
Additionally, 18,389 individuals successfully registered to vote from overseas.
A total of 206 candidates from 11 different parties, including two independents, are competing for 92 seats across 32 constituencies.
Key issues influencing voters include the cost of living, housing concerns, and the increasing presence of foreign workers.
Despite heavy rainfall in the early hours, many voters lined up for over an hour before the polling stations opened at 8 AM.
More than 18,000 Singaporeans living abroad have also begun casting their votes at Singaporean missions in cities like Dubai, London, Washington, New York, and San Francisco, which opened their polling stations at 8 AM local time on May 2.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who has been in office for nearly a year, is seeking a fresh mandate for the PAP, which has been at the helm since Singapore's independence and has played a crucial role in its evolution into a global financial center.
This election marks Singapore's 19th since the inaugural general election in 1948 and the 14th since gaining independence in 1965.
"Singapore finds itself at a crossroads due to the US-China trade conflict," noted a diplomatic source, emphasizing that the trade-centric nation maintains strong diplomatic and economic ties with both superpowers, and any decline in these relationships could hinder its future growth.
Multinational corporations and Asian enterprises, which utilize Singapore as a gateway to Asian markets, are closely observing the upcoming 2025 election, according to the source.
As of June 2024, Singapore's total population was approximately 6.04 million, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous year, primarily due to growth in the non-resident population, as reported in the Population-in-Brief document.
On April 23, during nomination day, the PAP secured five seats uncontested in the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Group Representation Constituency (GRC). In Singapore's electoral framework, GRCs function similarly to party block voting systems found in other nations.
Eleven political parties and two independents are contesting across 32 constituencies. The PAP is fielding candidates in all 92 constituencies, while its main competitor, the Workers' Party (WP), is contesting 26 seats in eight constituencies. The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has nominated 13 candidates across six constituencies.
Other parties participating include the Singapore People's Party (SPP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), People's Power Party (PPP), People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), Red Dot United (RDU), National Solidarity Party (NSP), Singapore United Party (SUP), and Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA).