While official campaigning starts Tuesday, most parties have already introduced their candidates through press conferences, videos and savvy mobile applications.
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Although the PAP is expected to return to power in the September 11 elections, the vote will demonstrate the growing strength of the opposition, which had largely remained emasculated for decades.
It will also be the first time since the island nation’s independence that all seats will be contested, unlike previous elections where opposition parties fielded candidates only in electorates where they stood a better chance.
“Please vote for us in this election”, the 63-year-old Lee said as he addressed supporters after filing his nomination papers.
The current parliament has 87 elected seats, of which the PAP holds 80 and the opposition Workers’ Party 7.
In the last general election, in 2011, PAP retained power by winning 81 of the then-87 parliamentary seats. Still, the main opposition Workers’ Party has put up candidates for 28 seats – not enough to form the government even if it wins all. Chiam is not contesting in the 2015 elections. In the 2011 general election, Singaporean’s expressed through their votes their unhappiness with the high cost of housing and the influx of foreigners, who have been blamed for fueling competition for jobs and places at state universities and congestion in public transport. There’s a lot at stake and we have to take very seriously people’s aspirations, concerns, their outlook in a new world, and also the way in which the election is going to be fought. Our future is at stake.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (Aug 30) launched a masterplan book for Ang Mo Kio and Sengkang West, which shares with residents the upgraded facilities and future plans in the respective constituencies.
“The opposition really needs to stay focused on fighting the PAP and not each other”, said Michael Barr, an associate professor of worldwide relations at Flinders University in Adelaide.
This time, the opposition will field candidates in all constituencies.
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The PAP, co-founded by the prime minister’s father, the late Lee Kuan Yew, has ruled Singapore since six years before independence in 1965. “This election in Singapore is special, happening after the 50th anniversary after Lee Kuan Yew passed away”, he said.
