Singapore's General Election on May 3: In Focus — PM Lawrence Wong and the People's Action Party

Singapore's General Election on May 3: In Focus — PM Lawrence Wong and the People's Action Party

According to a Reuters report, Singapore’s general election—held every five years—is scheduled for May 3, 2025. Ahead of the polls, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed a midday rally of the People’s Action Party (PAP) in the Central Business District of the capital.

Here are some key statistics for this election:

• Elections are being held for 97 parliamentary seats, of which the PAP has won 5 uncontested. These group representation constituencies (GRCs) had no other party contesting, marking the first such “walkover” in 14 years.

• In Singapore, with a population of 6 million, there are 2.76 million eligible voters — about 49,000 more than in the 2023 presidential election.

• A total of 211 candidates are contesting, 46% of whom are PAP nominees.

• Eleven political parties are participating in the election, but PAP is the only party contesting all 97 seats.

• The main opposition, the Workers' Party, has fielded candidates in only 26 constituencies — about one-quarter of the total.

• Only six parties are contesting in more than 10 constituencies.

• Of the 33 electoral divisions, 17 are Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and 15 are Single Member Constituencies (SMCs).

• Only five seats are seeing contests with more than two parties running.

• The campaign period is limited to just 9 days, as the election date was announced on April 15.

• The ruling PAP has won 13 general elections to date.

• The PAP has held continuous power since Singapore gained independence in 1965.

• Since 2001, the average voter turnout has been 94.2%, as voting is compulsory in Singapore.