Singaporeans are heading to polling stations across the island for General Election 2025 (GE2025), casting their votes at a pivotal moment both domestically and globally. A total of 2,758,846 registered voters are expected to participate in this major democratic exercise being held on Saturday, marking the 19th General Election since the nation’s independence.

Polling Day Begins Nationwide

Voting kicked off at 8 am at 1,240 polling stations located across the city-state. The booths will remain open until 8 pm, after which results are expected later in the night. The smooth electoral machinery in Singapore has ensured efficient voter movement, with key constituencies already witnessing strong turnouts by midday.

Lawrence Wong Seeks First Full Mandate

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took over from Lee Hsien Loong in 2024, is contesting his first general election as head of the government. Though he has nearly completed a year in office, GE2025 is seen as his true test of leadership and ability to lead the People’s Action Party (PAP) into the future.

The PAP has governed Singapore since its independence in 1965 and is credited with transforming the island into a global financial and trading hub. Now, the party is facing the dual challenges of economic pressures and rising domestic concerns.

Backdrop of Global Trade Tensions

This election occurs at a time of significant global uncertainty, with the United States recently announcing new trade tariffs that could directly impact Singapore, its largest trading partner. As the US-China trade war escalates, Singapore finds itself caught in the crossfire due to its strong diplomatic and economic ties with both countries.

According to diplomatic sources, Singapore’s unique position as a neutral trade hub places its economy in a delicate spot. Any fallout from US-China tensions could have direct consequences for multinational businesses operating from or through Singapore.

Key Domestic Issues: Cost of Living and Workforce Composition

While the global picture is concerning, domestic issues are at the forefront of GE2025. The top concerns cited by voters include:

• Rising cost of living, particularly food and daily essentials

• Affordable housing, especially for younger citizens and middle-income families

• Influx of foreign workers, which some voters feel may be impacting job availability and wage levels

Singapore’s total population rose to 6.04 million in June 2024, a 2% increase year-on-year, primarily due to a growing non-resident population, as highlighted in the latest Population-in-Brief report.

Voter Participation Includes Overseas Citizens

This election is not limited to Singapore's geographical borders. Over 18,000 Singaporeans living abroad have also begun casting their votes in Singapore missions located in Dubai, London, Washington, New York, and San Francisco. These polling booths opened at 8 am local time in each respective city on May 2, allowing Singaporeans to participate from wherever they reside.

A Strongly Contested Election: Seats and Parties

A total of 92 out of 97 parliamentary seats are being contested this year, involving 211 candidates from 11 political parties and 2 independents. The remaining five seats were secured uncontested by the PAP in the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Group Representation Constituency (GRC) during Nomination Day on April 23.

Singapore’s GRC system allows parties to contest in groups, with entire slates of candidates voted in together—a method somewhat akin to block voting in other parliamentary systems.

Who's Contesting: Major and Minor Parties in the Fray

While the PAP is contesting all 32 constituencies, the Workers’ Party (WP), seen as the primary opposition, is fielding candidates in eight constituencies with 26 seats up for grabs. The Progress Singapore Party (PSP), founded by former PAP member Dr. Tan Cheng Bock, has also launched a strong campaign with 13 candidates across six constituencies.

Other parties contesting GE2025 include:

• Singapore People’s Party (SPP)

• Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)

• People’s Power Party (PPP)

• People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR)

• Red Dot United (RDU)

• National Solidarity Party (NSP)

• Singapore United Party (SUP)

• Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA)

Two independent candidates have also entered the contest, adding to the diversity of voices in this crucial election.

Significance for Business and Foreign Investment

Singapore’s elections are closely watched not just by its citizens but also by international businesses and foreign investors, particularly multinational corporations and Asian enterprises that use the country as a launchpad for accessing wider Asian markets.

Any shift in governance or policy direction could potentially reshape the business climate, especially in areas like foreign labor policy, trade incentives, and housing regulations—all of which directly affect operational costs.

Conclusion: GE2025 Will Define Singapore's Next Chapter

GE2025 is more than just a political milestone; it represents a defining moment in Singapore’s modern history. As the city-state grapples with external economic threats and internal pressures, the outcome of this election will set the tone for how Singapore navigates the next decade—one that promises both challenges and opportunities.

The results expected late Saturday night will not only determine which party takes the reins but will also signal the electorate’s sentiment on issues that touch their daily lives—affordability, fairness, and future security.

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