Singapore: Singaporeans will head to the polls on May 3, marking the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who assumed office in 2024.
The nine-day election campaign is expected to focus on the rising cost of living, housing challenges, job opportunities, and healthcare needs, as the country grapples with an ageing population. The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) is foreseen to retain power, continuing its dominance since Singapore gained self-rule in 1959.
In the 2020 general election, the PAP secured 83 of the 93 seats, with the opposition Workers’ Party winning a historic 10 seats, the largest opposition victory since the nation’s independence in 1965. This time, 97 seats are up for grabs, with the PAP aiming for a stronger mandate after the setbacks of the previous election.
Recent polls indicate that 44 percent of voters have already decided their choice, with 63 percent supporting the ruling PAP and 15 percent backing the Workers’ Party. The election also served as a critical moment for Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong after two decades in office.
Wong’s government has already unveiled measures in the February budget, including tax rebates and sector-specific support aimed at alleviating cost-of-living pressures. Since Singapore’s independence, the PAP has been the dominant force in politics, with only four prime ministers leading the country.
Earlier today, I advised the President to dissolve Parliament and issue the Writ of Election. Nomination Day will be on Wednesday, 23 April. Polling Day will be on Saturday, 3 May. More details here: https://t.co/huyMuCOCRJ pic.twitter.com/nyz4SgTGD3
— Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) April 15, 2025
The first was Lee Kuan Yew, often credited as the architect of modern Singapore. However, the PAP’s long-standing dominance has been challenged by scandals in recent years, including the arrest of a senior minister in a corruption investigation and the resignation of two lawmakers over personal controversies.
The electoral system in Singapore uses a first-past-the-post method, with some constituencies being Group Representative Constituencies (GRCs), where teams of MPs contest together. This system was devised to ensure minority representation, but opposition parties argue that it has created an uneven playing field, particularly for larger constituencies.
Voting is compulsory for Singapore’s 2.75 million eligible citizens, and candidates must deposit $9,700 (S$13,500) to contest. The outcome of the election will not only shape Singapore’s political future but also test the leadership of Lawrence Wong as he faces his first major political challenge as prime minister.
MOST READ | Zuckerberg testifies in FTC antitrust trial over Meta deals
