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New Paper
03-05-2025
- Politics
- New Paper
GE2025: 2.6m Singaporeans head to the polls in PM Wong's first election as leader
Some 2.6 million Singaporeans will head to the polls on 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 PAP is fielding candidates in all constituencies, while the WP is contesting 26 seats in eight constituencies - five GRCs and three SMCs. The 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. 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 Star
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Singapore GE2025: 2.6mil Singaporeans head to the polls in first election with PM Wong as leader
A voter casts his ballot in the general election at a polling station in Singapore on May 3, 2025. Polling stations opened on May 3 across Singapore as voters began casting their ballots in an election seen as the first real test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his long-ruling People's Action Party. - AFP 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. 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
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GE2025: When polling stations open? How to vote on Singapore election Polling Day?
SINGAPORE — It's GE2025 Polling Day (3 May) in Singapore! Polling starts when polling stations open at 8am and ends at 8pm. Some 2.6 million Singaporeans will head to the polls in what is Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first general election as PAP leader. In total, there are 92 out of 97 parliamentary seats to be filled — there was a walkover on Nomination Day at Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC. The Elections Department (ELD) is encouraging voters to consider casting their votes in the afternoon on Polling Day to avoid long queues in the morning. Here's what you need to know on Polling Day: VoteQ (activated on Polling Day) is a website where a voter will be able to find out the number of voters queuing at their allotted polling station, by keying in the postal code. In an advisory on Thursday (1 May), ELD said voters can check the queue status by scanning the QR code on their poll card as well. According to the ELD website, "The polling station queue status will be updated in approximately 5 min intervals during the morning peak polling hours and then at approximately 10 min intervals in the less peak period in the afternoon and evening. The queue status may also be updated whenever there is a substantial change in the queue situation." The ELD advises that you will receive your poll card through the post at your latest residential address registered with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) two to three working days after Nomination Day if you are a qualified elector and your electoral division is contested. Alternatively, you may access your ePoll card via your Singpass mobile app or online at Voter Services using your Singpass after Nomination Day. You can use the Singpass mobile app to access your ePoll card and use it in lieu of the hard copy poll card. You can also log on to Voter Services on the ELD website via Singpass to retrieve your ePoll card. The ELD says to bring an original NRIC, a digital IC or identity cards issued by the Ministry of Defence, Singapore Police Force or Singapore Civil Defence Force for uniformed personnel or a valid passport. Yes, Polling Day is a public holiday for the general and presidential elections. The ELD advised that because voting is compulsory in Singapore, eligible voters must cast their vote. "Polling hours are from 8am to 8 pm. Under the law, all employers must give employees, who are qualified electors, a reasonable period of time for them to vote. Affected employees are advised to promptly inform their employers if they need to request for time-off, so that appropriate work arrangements can be made to cover their duties when they are away," ELD said. You won't be able to vote if you're not physically in Singapore. According to ELD, being overseas is a valid reason for not voting. However, your name will still be removed from the Registers of Electors after the election. You may apply to restore your name to the registers at Voter Services using your Singpass. Because you have a valid reason for not voting, there will be no administrative fee levied when you apply to restore your name to the register. In the first walkover at a Singapore General Election since 2011, the People's Action Party (PAP) team retained Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC on Nomination Day after a surprise no-show from the Workers' Party (WP). In the 2011 General Election, the PAP team led by then-Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew were elected as the representatives of Tanjong Pagar GRC. The PAP had a surprise of their own too at Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, with newcomer Goh Pei Ming, an ex-Singapore Armed Forces chief of staff, replacing Manpower Minister Tan See Leng at the last minute. Besides Goh, the other members of the GRC who were elected unopposed are Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, incumbent Members of Parliament Seah Kian Peng and Tin Pei Ling, and new candidate Diana Pang. Other developments of note at Nomination Day 2025 include DPM Heng Swee Keat's and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean's retirement from politics, a four-cornered fight among the WP, National Solidarity Party (NSP), People's Power Party (PPP) and PAP for Tampines GRC, and DPM Gan Kim Yong's move to lead PAP's team to contest Punggol GRC against WP's team led by its "star" candidate Harpreet Singh. On Nomination Day, candidates made their bids for 97 seats across 33 constituencies. Parties that will be contesting the Singapore General Election 2025 include the People's Action Party (PAP), Workers' Party (WP), Red Dot United (RDU), Progress Singapore Party (PSP), People's Power Party (PPP), National Solidarity Party (NSP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) and Singapore United Party (SUP). Singapore's Parliament was dissolved on 15 April ahead of a general election (GE2025) on 3 May. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, "President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, on the advice of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, has dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, 15 April 2025. The Prime Minister also advised that Nomination Day be on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, and the President has agreed." The vote will be the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took over from Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as leader of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) in May 2024. In March, under Wong's leadership, Singapore passed an historic $143 billion Budget for 2025, the largest in the country's history. In a post on his Facebook page, Wong said, "Earlier today, I advised the President to dissolve Parliament and issue the Writ of Election. Nomination Day will be on Wednesday, 23 April. Polling Day will be on Saturday, 3 May. More details here: "We are witnessing profound changes in the world. It is becoming more uncertain, unsettled and even unstable. The global conditions that enabled Singapore's success over the past decades may no longer hold. "That is why I have called this General Election. At this critical juncture, Singaporeans should decide on the team to lead our nation, and to chart our way forward together." Following the dissolution of Parliament and the issuing of the Writ of Election on 15 April, here are the other notable dates leading up to the polls in Singapore's general election 2025: 23 April: Nomination Day; also the start of a nine-day campaigning period for candidates. 2 May: Cooling-Off Day 3 May: Polling Day The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) released its report on 11 March. Singapore's electoral map will see significant changes ahead of the 2025 General Election (GE2025). The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) proposed the introduction of five new Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and six new Single Member Constituencies (SMCs). These changes come as a result of rapid population growth in areas such as Punggol, Sembawang, and Tengah. Voter numbers will rise to 97 Members of Parliament, ensuring a better reflection of the growing population across the island. While some constituencies remain unchanged, others are realigned to address new housing developments and population trends. Read more on the electoral boundary changes for GE2025 here. Which constituency are you in? Check here at the Elections Department's Electoral Division Enquiry. According to the Elections Department Singapore (ELD), you can vote if your name is in the certified Register of Electors (RE) for an electoral division (constituency). Your name will be included in the RE before polling day if you are: A Singapore citizen; At least 21 years of age; Not disqualified from being an elector under any prevailing law(a) Registered Singapore address on NRIC or,(b) If residing overseas, has registered a Local Contact Address (LCA). Learn more about the qualifying criteria. Not sure if you're eligible? You may check your eligibility by following these steps: Online via Singpass app; Online at the Elections Department Voter Services using your Singpass; At community centres/clubs and ServiceSG Centres (with NRIC/passport); At Singapore overseas missions serving as overseas registration centres (with NRIC/passport); or At the Elections Department office, (with NRIC/passport) by making an e-appointment.
AsiaOne
02-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
It's Polling Day today – here's what you need to know, Singapore News
Singaporeans will head to the polls today (May 3), with polling stations open from 8am to 8pm. Below are some pointers to take note of before you head down to the polling stations to cast your vote. Before going down The Elections Department (ELD) is encouraging voters to consider casting your vote in the afternoon to avoid long queues in the morning. You can check your polling station's queue status by scanning the QR code on your poll card before heading to your respective polling station. You are to bring along your original NRIC or passport and poll card for voting. An alternative is your digital NRIC and ePoll card on the Singpass app. ELD urge voters to refrain from wearing any attire or carrying any items with images that may be construed as influencing other voters or canvassing support for any particular political party, candidate or groups of candidates. This could be clothes, bags, water bottles, fans or badges with prints on them that are identical to or closely resemble a political party or candidate's allotted symbol. Objects or soft toys that are identical to, closely resemble or associated with a political party or candidate's symbol and likely would be associated with a candidate by the public are not allowed too. "If they do so, they may be turned away by election officials at the polling stations," ELD said. At the polling station When casting your vote, you are encouraged to use the self-inking "X" stamps provided at the polling booth. You may also bring along your own pens to mark "X" in the demarcated area to indicate your choice of candidate or group of candidates on your ballot papers. Do not sign or make any marks on your ballot paper that may identify yourself. You are also not allowed to show your ballot paper to anyone else. Once you have marked your choice on the ballot paper, fold it in half before dropping it into the ballot box. In a separate statement, the police advise voters to walk or take public transport to their polling station. Parking is not allowed within the premises of polling stations located in places such as schools and community centres, and along the roads nearby. Vehicles found parking indiscriminately or causing obstruction will be issued with a summons and may be towed away. There will be special drop-off locations at all polling stations for vehicles ferrying sick, infirm or disabled voters, and drivers are encouraged to approach election officials for assistance and direction. 'Priority queues and wheelchairs are also available for their use if required,' ELD said. You are advised not to loiter in the vicinity of polling stations and should leave the area once you have cast your vote. For our GE2025 microsite, visit here. [[nid:717549]] amierul@
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: 2.6m Singaporeans head to the polls in PM Wong's first election as leader
Eleven political parties and two independents are contesting 92 seats in 32 constituencies. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI GE2025: 2.6m Singaporeans head to the polls in PM Wong's first election as leader SINGAPORE – Some 2.6 million Singaporeans will head to the polls on 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 PAP is fielding candidates in all constituencies, while the WP is contesting 26 seats in eight constituencies – five GRCs and three SMCs. The 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. 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. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
