Nomination Day Approaches: Key Developments Ahead of Singapore’s General Election
As Singapore gears up for the General Election on 3 May 2024, excitement is building with Nomination Day set for 23 April. With various parties preparing to unveil their candidates, the political landscape is shifting rapidly.
Senior Ministers Depart
In a significant shake-up, several senior members of the People’s Action Party (PAP) have announced their retirement from politics.
- Dr Ng Eng Hen
- Dr Amy Khor
- Dr Maliki Osman
These departures pave the way for fresh faces and new contestants, indicating a potential shift in voter sentiments.
Workers’ Party and Aljunied GRC
Pritam Singh, the secretary-general for the Workers’ Party (WP), remains non-committal about contesting in Aljunied GRC, where the WP historically performs well. In the last election, the WP team retained their seat with nearly 60% of the vote.
As Singh hints at possible strategies, all eyes will be on the nomination centre at Yusof Ishak Secondary School, where key announcements are expected.
Opposition Dynamics
The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) is yet to confirm whether it will contest Punggol GRC. Chairman Desmond Lim has stated that a resolution on this issue will be announced soon, amidst speculation about potential candidates.
During this time, SDA has been actively focussing on community outreach, offering health check-ups for Pulau Ubin’s residents, showcasing their commitment to local issues.
East Coast GRC Tension
The organisational shake-up in PAP extends to East Coast GRC, with Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean stepping aside, potentially allowing new candidates to emerge. Current assumptions suggest that Minister Edwin Tong will take a leading role here, a move that will be pivotal for both parties.
West Coast GRC Contest
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) is gearing up to contest West Coast GRC against PAP’s Desmond Lee. This election could be pivotal for PSP’s chair Tan Cheng Bock, who has been an integral figure in Singapore’s political landscape for years.
Dr Tan, alongside new candidates, hopes to build on previous gains despite narrowly losing in 2020.
What’s Next?
As Nomination Day fast approaches, many constituencies remain unknown, with parties mobilising strategies that could define the political future of Singapore. The anticipation is palpable, and voters can expect an intensely contested election.