Singapore is gearing up for its 14th general election on May 3. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced the dissolution of parliament today. The nomination day for candidates is set for April 23.
This election marks a new era under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took office last May. Wong was appointed secretary-general of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in December 2024, succeeding Lee Hsien Loong. The PAP has dominated Singaporean politics since independence.
The election will contest 97 seats across 33 constituencies, including 18 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and 15 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs). In the 2020 general election, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, the PAP secured 61.24% of the vote, winning 83 out of 93 seats. The Workers’ Party (WP) made significant gains, winning a GRC for the second time and securing opposition representation in parliament. Pritam Singh, the WP’s leader, was officially appointed as the Leader of the Opposition.
Key Players and Contest
Eleven political parties, including two major opposition parties, will contest the election. For the first time since 2015, the opposition will contest all available seats. The campaign period will begin on April 23 and run for nine days, concluding on May 1, which is also Labor Day. The following day, May 2, will be a rest day, giving voters time to reflect before casting their ballots on May 3.
Election Process
The Elections Department has clarified that polling day will be a public holiday, and employers must give employees sufficient time off to vote. Singapore’s parliamentary system means that ministers will continue to serve until the first meeting of the new parliament, even after the dissolution.
The current parliament, which first met on August 24, 2020, is the second-longest in Singapore’s history, lasting approximately 4 years and 8 months. It will end with the highest number of vacant seats since independence, following the resignation of six MPs for various reasons.