SINGAPORE: Some 2.6 million Singaporeans will head to the polls today (May 3) in a general election taking place amid great global uncertainty.
This election marks the first time Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is leading the ruling PAP in an electoral contest, and comes after nine days of intense and, at times, combative campaigning.
Candidates from various political parties fanned out across the island, delivering speeches at rallies, debating policies on podcasts, and engaging voters through social media posts, livestreams and memes.
There are 92 out of 97 parliamentary seats that await the verdict of voters, with Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC uncontested at this election.
The electoral contest takes place amid a backdrop of global uncertainty, persistent inflation, and concerns over issues such as cost of living, housing and social mobility.
In all, 11 political parties and two independents are contesting in 32 constituencies, including several new ones following electoral boundary changes in March. The five-member PAP team in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC was elected unopposed on Nomination Day on April 23.
The People's Action Party (PAP) is fielding candidates in all constituencies, while the Workers' Party (WP) is contesting 26 seats in eight constituencies – five GRCs and three SMCs. The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) is fielding 13 candidates in six constituencies, including four SMCs.
Other parties in the race include the People’s Alliance for Reform, National Solidarity Party (NSP), Red Dot United, Singapore Democratic Party and People’s Power Party (PPP).
Multi-cornered fights will take place in five-member Ang Mo Kio, Sembawang and Tampines GRCs, as well as the single seats of Potong Pasir and Radin Mas.
Tampines has the most number of contenders, with the PAP up against three opposition parties – the WP, NSP and PPP.
Other closely watched battlegrounds that have emerged during the hustings include the new Punggol GRC and Jalan Kayu SMC.
Polling will take place on May 3 from 8am to 8pm, with 1,240 stations set up islandwide, up from the 1,100 during GE2020.
Voters are encouraged to consider voting in the afternoon to avoid morning crowds, the Elections Department (ELD) said in a May 1 advisory.
They can check their polling station’s queue status by scanning the QR code on their poll card before heading to their voting centre.
They must have with them their original NRIC or passport and poll card. Alternatively, they can present their digital NRIC and ePoll card on the Singpass app.
NOTE: (For more information on Singapore elections: the electoral maps = https://elections.data.gov.sg/en)
Voters are also reminded not to wear or carry any item that may be interpreted as political messaging. These include, but are not limited to, bags, water bottles, fans or clothing bearing party symbols or slogans. Those who do so may be turned away by election officials.
Voters are encouraged to use the self-inking “X” stamp provided at polling booths, although they may also use their own pen to mark the ballot.
The police have advised voters to walk or take public transport to their polling stations, and not to loiter in the area after voting.
Priority queues, wheelchairs and designated drop-off points will be available for voters who are sick or frail, or have disabilities.
After polls close at 8pm on May 3, counting will begin immediately at designated centres.
Preliminary results from sample counts, which are based on a random tally of ballot papers from each polling station, are expected to be released earlier in the night to give an indication of the likely outcome. - The Straits Times/ANN
