Online advertising made up about 16 per cent of total costs, while political parties spent a combined S$1.7 million - or about 13 per cent - on physical rallies. - ST FILE
SINGAPORE: Candidates spent slightly over S$13 million at this year’s general election in a bid to garner votes from Singaporeans, with almost half of this going to non-online advertising like posters and banners.
Online advertising made up about 16 per cent of total costs, while political parties spent a combined $1.7 million - or about 13 per cent - on physical rallies, which made a return after being ruled out at the last election due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The remaining spending went to other costs such as office rental, equipment, supplies, and transport.
Overall, spending by parties increased by about 42 per cent from the 2020 general election, where total expenditure was $9.2 million.
A total of 211 individuals contested at the May 3 polls, and the full list of election expenses was posted on the Elections Department (ELD) website on June 27 for public inspection.
The ruling People’s Action Party spent the most - $9.4 million in its contests for all 97 seats in the House - against a combined $3.6 million from the 10 opposition parties and two independent candidates.
The Workers’ Party spent the most out of opposition parties, forking out a total of $1.6 million for its 26 candidates.
Next up was the Singapore Democratic Party which spent $583,440 for its 11 candidates, followed by the Progress Singapore Party which spent $441,548 for 13 candidates.
ELD had earlier released two tranches of election expenses for public inspection online.
All parties spent below the limit of $5 per voter, which was raised from $4 at the last election to account for inflation. - The Straits Times/ANN
