Image Source : Nikkei Asia
Singapore is officially in election mode, and the countdown to Polling Day has begun. In a move that’s set the city-state abuzz, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam dissolved Parliament on April 15, 2025, at the advice of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, paving the way for Singapore’s 14th General Election since independence.
What’s Next?
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Nomination Day: April 23, 2025. This is when candidates will submit their papers and the final line-up for each constituency will be revealed. The Returning Officer, Han Kok Juan, will oversee the process to ensure everything runs smoother than a Singaporean MRT at off-peak hours
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Campaigning: Once the candidates are confirmed, Singapore will see a minimum nine-day campaign blitz, with rallies, manifestos, and enough banners to make Orchard Road look like a national day parade.
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Cooling-Off Day: The day before the election, all campaigning must stop, giving voters a chance to reflect (or just enjoy the peace and quiet).
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Polling Day: May 3, 2025. Voting runs from 8am to 8pm, and the day is a public holiday—so expect long lines at polling stations and even longer ones at your favorite hawker stall.
Why This Election Matters
This will be the first general election under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his “4G” (fourth-generation) leadership team, following the end of Lee Hsien Loong’s era. The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) is seeking to reinforce its dominance, but after a dip in support in 2020, all eyes are on whether Wong can secure a strong mandate.
A total of 97 seats across 33 constituencies are up for grabs, with both ruling and opposition parties already ramping up their ground game. Hot topics on the campaign trail include the cost of living, jobs, and Singapore’s economic outlook amid global uncertainties.
Fun Fact: Polling Day is always a public holiday in Singapore, so even if politics isn’t your thing, you’ve got a reason to celebrate.
The Stakes
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- Will the PAP maintain its supermajority, or will the opposition make further inroads?
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- How will Singaporeans respond to the new leadership and recent changes in electoral boundaries?
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- And, most importantly, who will win the unofficial contest for the best campaign slogan?
Stay tuned as Singapore gears up for a high-stakes, high-energy, and (hopefully) drama-free election season.
Sources: AsiaOne, Channel NewsAsia, South China Morning Post, The Business Times, Times of India, Wikipedia
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