Singapore to hold general election

Singapore’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam has issued the Writ of Election for General Election 2015.

Opposition veteran Chiam See Tong’s Singapore People’s Party has also unveiled some candidates.

According to the law, 11 September will be made a public holiday.

SINGAPORE’S public service, with a workforce of more than 140,000, will take the lead in implementing the enhanced paternity leave scheme announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally on Sunday.

The next general election would have had to be held by January 2017, but there had been speculation in the media and political blogs that it would be called early.

Singapore celebrated 50 years of independence on August 9 with a huge parade that highlighted its rapid economic development and stability under PAP rule. “More than that, you will be choosing the team to work with you for the next 15-20 years, and setting the direction for Singapore for the next 50 years”, the 63-year- old prime minister said.

Singapore’s fragmented opposition is expected to contest all parliamentary seats for the first time since independence.

The polls will also take place against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, with worldwide markets routed in recent days.

An influx of foreign workers and immigrants as the birthrate declines has seen the population surge from 4.17 million in 2004 to 5.47 million past year. “Those like me who are more focused on policymaking and implementation were thinking that it would be important for the effects of these policy reforms to be properly felt before the ground would be sweet and the incumbent governing party would call the election“.

The president was acting on the advice of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Singapore’s constitution dictates that a general election must be held within the next three months.

In 2011, the PAP won its lowest ever share of the vote, with many people unhappy about immigration and the cost of living.

It later extended its gains with two by-election wins.

“They are less enamoured of a one-party… system and are inclined to more political diversity….” The Singapore Democratic Party began introducing its candidates yesterday, and the WP will do so from today.

Its line-up for 12 GRCs and 11 SMCs has been revealed so far.

The timing of the election isn’t a surprise, said Gillian Koh, senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.