Highlights:
– The upcoming general election in Singapore is anticipated to involve a diverse range of parties, including two opposition alliances, shaping a potentially dynamic political landscape with implications for the country's future governance.
– Key factors influencing voting decisions among the population include party identification, candidate attributes, policy positions, and economic conditions, underlining the significance of informed decision-making in the electoral process.
– The electoral process in Singapore has evolved over time, incorporating measures like Group Representation Constituency (GRC) to enhance minority representation, yet facing criticism for potentially favoring the ruling political party, making the upcoming election crucial for addressing such concerns and shaping the country's political trajectory.
Summary
The 14th Parliament of Singapore announced its dissolution ahead of a general election scheduled for May 3. This process, which marks a key event in Singapore’s political landscape, is determined by the Parliamentary Elections Act and the Constitution of Singapore. Under these provisions, the President, upon the advice of the Prime Minister, dissolves Parliament and issues a writ of election to the Returning Officer. The upcoming general election is expected to feature candidates from up to 11 parties, which include two opposition alliances.
Singapore’s political climate has been shaped by key parties such as the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Workers’ Party (WP), with the PAP dominating the political landscape due to its economic advancement strategies and clean, incorruptible leadership. However, the electoral process and boundaries have faced criticism for allegedly favoring the ruling PAP, although the country maintains a multiparty political system.
In the lead-up to the general election, factors such as party identification, candidate attributes, policy positions, campaign strategies, and economic conditions are among the various elements that influence the voting decisions of the population. Key issues and policy agendas for the upcoming election include financial assistance for low-income families, pandemic management, and the overall socio-economic landscape.
The Singaporean electoral process has seen significant changes over the years, such as the introduction of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in 1988 to enhance minority representation in Parliament. However, these amendments have also attracted criticism, suggesting they favor the political establishment. The upcoming general election, therefore, presents a critical opportunity for these issues to be debated and addressed, shaping the future political trajectory of Singapore.
Background
Singapore’s election process commences when the President, upon the Cabinet’s advice, issues a writ of election addressed to the returning officer. The officer in charge is responsible for overseeing the election, and the writ denotes the date of the nomination of candidates and the places of nomination. The nomination period must not be earlier than five days or later than one month from the date of the writ. At the close of the nomination period, the returning officer will declare at the nomination centre that a candidate or a group of candidates has been elected if they are the only nominees. The upcoming election could feature candidates from 11 parties, including two opposition alliances.
The Parliamentary Elections Act dictates the entire election period. It begins with the President, advised by the Prime Minister, dissolving Parliament and issuing the Writ of Election to the Returning Officer. Under Article 65(4) of the Singaporean Constitution, a parliamentary term lasts a maximum of five years before its automatic dissolution by law. However, the Prime Minister can advise the President for early dissolution at any time during the five-year term if a majority of sitting Members of Parliament support it.
Public assemblies are generally allowed at Hong Lim Park’s Speakers’ Corner unless deemed disruptive. Non-Singaporeans are typically barred from participating in or attending public assemblies deemed political or sensitive. The Media Development Authority issues content codes prohibiting political advertising on radio or television. Instead, pre-recorded party political broadcasts are arranged for radio and TV, one day after the nomination day and the other on the eve of polling day.
On polling day, which is a public holiday, voting is mandatory. Unless decided otherwise by the returning officer, polling stations are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Voters must go to their assigned polling stations. In 2023, a postal voting trial was introduced for overseas Singaporeans to cast their votes at overseas missions and government offices.
Role of Election Department Singapore
The Elections Department Singapore (ELD), also known as the Elections Department, is a government department under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Singapore. Established in 1947, the department holds a supervisory role in ensuring the fair conduct of elections and safeguarding against electoral fraud. Its primary responsibilities include overseeing the procedure for elections in Singapore, which encompasses parliamentary elections, presidential elections, and referendums. This involves the preparation and management of elections and any national referendums.
The department is also responsible for planning for election manpower, premises, and other logistical requirements essential for the conduct of elections. This includes public assembly at designated sites, such as the Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park, despite certain restrictions on participation for non-Singaporeans.
The ELD works alongside election officials across the public sector to ensure the integrity of the electoral system and operational readiness. As a part of this, the ELD engages in public deliberation through town hall meetings to reveal private information and uncover common interests between politicians and citizens.
To ensure accessibility for overseas Singaporeans, the ELD implemented a postal voting trial in 2023.
Under the constitution, voting in Singapore is compulsory. If a registered voter fails to cast a vote, their names are removed from the registrar of voters of their respective electoral divisions, and they are ineligible to vote in subsequent elections. After the polls close, the ballot boxes are sealed and taken to counting centres to be opened and the ballots counted. Following the count, the final results are published in the Singapore Government Gazette. Candidates and appointed election agents are then required to account for all their election spending and submit a declaration, along with a return of election expenses, within 31 days of the day on which the election result is published.
Announcement of General Election on May 3 and Dissolution of Parliament
The 14th Parliament of Singapore was first convened on 24th August 2020 and, as per Article 66 of the Constitution, must be dissolved by August 2025. Should Parliament not be dissolved prior to this date, dissolution will occur automatically by law. General elections must be held within three months following this dissolution, making November 2025 the latest possible date for the next election. Typically, it is the Prime Minister who initiates the process of dissolution and calling for a general election, advising the President to issue a proclamation to this effect in the Government Gazette.
Ahead of the general election, the Singapore Democratic Party began campaigning on 23 February 2019, announcing several key campaign agendas over the following months. The People’s Action Party (PAP) underwent significant leadership changes in preparation for the upcoming election, including the promotion of Finance Minister Lawrence Wong to Deputy Prime Minister. These changes come in response to shifting political sentiments in Singapore, as well as the government’s approach to managing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
With the upcoming election, the current Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the people’s role in selecting the leadership for the nation, especially considering the global uncertainty and instability. Both independent and partisan voters play crucial roles in shaping the election results, with resources being dedicated by political campaigns to attract or flip these voters through policy or identity appeals.
Despite some criticism regarding the boundaries process favoring the ruling PAP, Singapore maintains a multiparty political system, with a total of 11 parties contesting the parliamentary elections in July 2020. The date of the upcoming general election was announced as May 3, marking the next pivotal moment in Singapore’s political history.
Key Issues and Policy Agendas for the Upcoming Election
The upcoming Singaporean general election on May 3 holds critical importance due to numerous key issues and policy agendas that could potentially impact the political future of the country. One of the primary focuses of the election is to understand the factors influencing the voting decisions of the population. These decisions shape the political structure and government policies that dictate the country’s socio-economic landscape.
A candidate’s ability to effectively communicate their policy positions can shape public perceptions and sway voting decisions. Recognizing these influencing elements is crucial for politicians, candidates, and policy makers, as it can offer insights into voter behavior and dynamics of election campaigns.
The People’s Action Party (PAP) has identified clear successors and potential future leaders, with Finance Minister Lawrence Wong emerging as a frontrunner. The PAP has remained committed to implementing effective policies and adopting flexible approaches to solve national problems. However, opposition to the PAP has been limited due to the use of defamation lawsuits to disqualify political opponents.
In response to changing political sentiments, the PAP has sought a new approach to pandemic management and the economy, calling a general election in July 2020. Nonetheless, the influence of Beijing and political changes in Hong Kong have led to alterations in the electoral system and potential shifts in the democratic landscape.
The debate surrounding effective policies for financial assistance to low-income families in low- and middle-income countries, insuring against shocks and breaking poverty traps, has been a recurring theme in political discourse. The concept of public deliberation and two-way communication between political parties and constituents has also been emphasized as a way to improve the political process.
Finally, the discussion on policy positions also emphasizes the importance of approaching policies from a position of strength and abundance. The focus is on measuring outcomes rather than inputs, and involving active input and participation from Singaporeans through fora such as Citizen’s Assemblies. The intention is to leverage the dashboard as a channel through which the nation can shape its future.
Impact of Key Issues and Policy Agendas on Voter Behavior and Electoral Landscape
The democratic essence of voting decisions lies in their capacity to shape the government composition and policies that regulate societal operations. These decisions, however, are influenced by several factors, each contributing to the overall voter behavior and the electoral landscape. Comprehending these factors is critical to understanding the dynamics of elections.
Voters base their decisions on numerous political factors such as party identification, candidate attributes, policy positions, campaign strategies, and economic conditions. These factors hold substantial potential to sway voter behavior and significantly impact the electoral outcomes. The effectiveness of a candidate in conveying their policy positions to the voters can influence their perceptions and subsequently shape voting decisions.
Political party membership in general elections is typically indicative of an individual’s social identity and serves as a representation of policy preferences. This emphasizes identity, which inherently carries policy information. However, primaries do not allow for the use of political party affiliations to distinguish candidates, which prompts voters to prioritize other identity-linked variables such as religion, race or ethnicity, and geography, which may not necessarily be directly linked to policy.
The common models for voter choice propose that voting is a rational choice based on policy positions and non-policy related information like social identity and personality. These models help explain macroscopic aspects of elections, but they also uncover significant anomalies that are challenging to explain. In Singapore’s context, citizens are given a ballot paper to indicate their choice, thereby contributing to the country’s democratic process.
Public deliberation, often facilitated through town hall meetings, can potentially help politicians and citizens uncover common interests through the revelation of private information. This process could be used to convince voters to support a specific platform, thereby increasing party support. However, certain issues that significantly influence elections may not be adequately addressed or known by the voters. For instance, this was recently observed in the Philippines Presidential elections.
Overview of Key Political Parties
In Singapore, there are a number of key political parties that shape the country’s political landscape.
People’s Action Party (PAP)
The People’s Action Party (PAP) is a major political party of the centre-right in Singapore and has a significant presence in the Parliament of Singapore. This party has dominated Singaporean politics for years due in part to the country’s economic advancement. The PAP is known for its clean, incorruptible, and transparent leadership, and for promoting a system that provides equal opportunities based on merit. The party focuses on creating policies that effectively address the issues facing the nation while maintaining a flexible approach. Areas of concern for the PAP include the high cost of living, healthcare costs, and the development of a robust and sustainable workforce and infrastructure.
Workers’ Party (WP)
The Workers’ Party (WP) is a major social democratic political party in Singapore and serves as an opposition party in the Parliament. The WP brands itself as a credible, constructive, and rational opposition party that aims to hold the government accountable for issues concerning Singaporeans. When policies presented in Parliament are deemed beneficial for Singaporeans across the political spectrum, the WP pledges to support them. In the 2020 parliamentary elections, the WP became the best performing opposition party to date, having won a total of 10 seats and garnering 50.49% of votes in constituencies they contested.
The political landscape in Singapore is further complicated by the numerous smaller parties and the boundaries process, which has traditionally favored the PAP. Regardless of party, during general elections, the emphasis is often on identity and policy preferences since the political party itself cannot be used to distinguish candidates. As such, voters often prioritize other identity-related variables such as religion, gender, race/ethnicity, and geography.
Historical Context of General Elections in Singapore
General elections have been a part of Singapore’s political landscape since 1948, where the first election was held to elect six unofficial members to the then 22-seat Legislative Council. Initially, the electorate was limited to British subjects, however, the size of the electorate and the number of local representatives increased over time as part of Singapore’s constitutional developments.
The 1955 Legislative Assembly general election was particularly vigorous, with 79 candidates contesting 25 seats and more than 300 election rallies held. This election led to a victory for the Labour Front, led by David Marshall, with 10 out of the 17 seats it contested. The remainder of the seats were won by a variety of parties and independent candidates.
According to the Constitution of Singapore, these elections must be held within three months of the dissolution of Parliament, which has a maximum term of five years.
Singapore’s electoral process has faced some criticism. The boundaries process, controlled by the People’s Action Party (PAP), has been seen to create an advantage for the party, as have the eligibility rules for presidential candidates. Additionally, the introduction of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in 1988 was critiqued for reducing opposition representation.
Recently, the role of social media in political campaigning has increased, with politicians and political parties prioritising their online presence ahead of elections. Despite the ban on political advertising on radio and television, the Media Development Authority arranges for pre-recorded party political broadcasts to be made during the election period.
The latest general election held in Singapore was in July 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 11 parties contested the parliamentary elections. As the nation continues to evolve, future elections are expected to reflect the changing political and social landscape of Singapore.
Amendments and Reforms in the Electoral Process
Significant changes have been made to the electoral process in Singapore over the years. The 1988 elections saw the introduction of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC), a plurality general ticket voting system for a team of between three and six candidates. This was implemented to enhance the representation of various ethnicities in Parliament and town council management. Political parties in GRCs field a team of candidates, with a requirement for at least one candidate to be from a minority race.
Critiques have suggested that the GRC system serves as a form of gerrymandering to limit opposition representation. This is especially evident in instances where teams in a GRC have been elected uncontested in consecutive elections. The boundaries of electoral divisions, determined by the Elections Department without parliamentary approval, are also claimed to have been manipulated to
Impact of SMCs and GRCs on Minority Representation
In Singapore’s electoral system, there exist two types of constituencies: Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) and Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). While SMCs are single-seat constituencies, GRCs have between four and five seats in Parliament. The GRC system, unique to Singaporean politics, allows multi-member constituencies which are contested by teams of candidates from one party or independents. At least one candidate or Member of Parliament in each GRC must belong to a minority racial community, either Malay, Indian, or Other.
The purpose of GRCs is to ensure minority representation in Parliament. Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong posited that the introduction of GRCs was necessary for maintaining multiracial composition and representation in Parliament. To further emphasize this aim, by law, the President designates the GRCs for which at least one of the MPs in the electoral division must belong to one of the minority racial communities.
The GRC scheme was enacted on June 1, 1988, with the main goal to enshrine minority representation in Parliament. This system, similar to the party block voting or general ticket used in other countries, also introduced an economical approach for town councils to manage larger constituencies. The creation of GRCs is considered to have improved legislative diversity; however, it has been criticized for failing to address deeper structural inequities between ethnic groups.
Notably, the GRC system has its critics who argue that it serves more as an administrative tool than a means to ensure minority representation. Critics claim that “high-value” MPs can be voted out due to the performance of their team, regardless of their personal competency. Despite this criticism, the GRC scheme was instrumental in maintaining a multiracial Parliament in Singapore.
As of the 2020 general election, there are 93 elected seats in Parliament organized into 14 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) and 17 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). The impact of the GRC system on minority representation will continue to be a significant aspect of Singapore’s electoral system in future general elections.
The content is provided by Sierra Knightley, Scopewires
