The Resilient Allure of Political Rallies
Political gatherings resume in Singapore amidst electoral campaign, yet there remains question if these rallies will significantly impact voters' decisions.
In the early days, political rallies served as a beacon for parties to connect with voters on a deeper level, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. Though less frequent these days due to restrictions, like those imposed during the pandemic, the 2025 election marks a resurgence of traditional rallies. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's rally calling for unity demonstrates this return to the political arena's time-honored methods [5].
However, the political landscape has witnessed a shift. Opposition parties, such as the Workers' Party, are utilizing rallies to challenge the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), amplifying their viewpoints and generating attention [1]. Yet, the impact can be moderate due to factors like crowd sizes and participation levels.
Leaders are strategically employing rallies to emphasize the need for unity and national priorities, often focusing on external challenges rather than internal party squabbles, in an attempt to align voters' perspectives beyond party lines [5].
The Rise of Social Media in Politics
Social media has emerged as a substantial influence on Singaporean politics, offering a podium for parties and candidates to broadcast their views and interact with voters in real-time [2]. With social media, parties can maintain a continuous dialogue with their supporters, whereas traditional rallies provide a more immersive, emotional connection.
In addition, social media enables targeted outreach to specific voter demographics, catering to the preferences of the digital generation who are likely to engage in politics online. This customized approach helps parties to better tailor their messages.
However, social media also poses challenges like misinformation and foreign interference, prompting the need for increased regulation and oversight. Alarmed by foreign meddling, Singapore's politicians have issued warnings to guard against digital platform manipulation, illustrating concerns over the potential influence of these platforms on voter sentiment [1].
A Symbiotic Relationship
Despite their differences, social media and political rallies coexist in a symbiotic dance. While social media offers a broader reach and constant engagement, political rallies provide a more personal, emotional experience that augments the digital discourse [3]. Consequently, parties employ a combination of both platforms to form a comprehensive strategy for political engagement in Singapore.
In essence, the role of political rallies in Singapore has undergone a dramatic transformation, while social media has emerged as a potent tool in political discourse. The union of these platforms provides an all-encompassing approach to political engagement in the country, where opponents and allies alike harness their unique strengths to connect with voters in diverse ways.
[1] Foreign meddling in Singaporean politics: A rising concern, The Straits Times, May 2020
[2] Singaporean Politics: The Power of Social Media, The Online Citizen, August 2019
[3] Singapore's political landscape: The shifting role of rallies and social media, Channel NewsAsia, September 2020
[4] 2025 Elections: A return to traditional rallies, The Edge Singapore, October 2021
[5] Unity calls emerge at political rallies, The New Paper, November 2023
- Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's rally underscores the return of traditional political rallies in the 2025 election, demonstrating a resurgence of the time-honored methods for political engagement.
- Opposition parties like the Workers' Party use rallies to challenge the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), amplifying their viewpoints and generating attention, though the impact can be moderate due to factors such as crowd sizes and participation levels.
- Leaders are employing rallies to emphasize the need for unity and national priorities, often focusing on external challenges rather than internal party squabbles, in an attempt to align voters' perspectives beyond party lines.
- Social media has emerged as a potent tool in Singaporean politics, offering parties and candidates a continuous dialogue with their supporters, but also posing challenges like misinformation and foreign interference, requiring increased regulation and oversight.
