Singaporeans headed to the polls on Saturday (3) for a general election dominated by concerns over the rising cost of living, with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) widely expected to retain power.
Voting is compulsory for Singapore’s 2.76 million registered voters, who participated in the election following a brief nine-day campaign period.
211 candidates—including two independents—are contesting 97 elected parliamentary seats. The PAP has already secured five of these seats in a multi-member constituency, where no opposition candidates were fielded. In power since Singapore attained self-rule in 1959, the PAP is tipped to maintain a commanding parliamentary majority. However, this election marks a significant milestone as it is the first major test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong in May 2024 after two decades at the helm.
In the 2020 general election, the PAP won 61.24 percent of the popular vote, down from 69.86 percent in 2015.
Aside from determining the next parliament, the election outcome will shape the composition of the new cabinet, which will be tasked with navigating Singapore through a period of global uncertainty, including recent U.S. tariff hikes.
The Workers’ Party (WP)—the only opposition party to win seats in 2020—grew its presence from six to ten seats in that election. This year, the WP is fielding 26 candidates across eight constituencies, aiming to expand its influence, particularly in the eastern regions of the island nation.
