"Step Out of Your Comfort Zones: Nga Challenges URA Critics to Witness Urban Poor Struggles, Providing Rent-Free Accommodation in Dilapidated Apartments"
May 3, 2025: Singapore's General Election 2025 - A soggy start turns out a record low voter turnout
Voters in Singapore braved the downpour to cast their votes in the 14th General Election today, with a staggering 48% of the eligible voting population turning up by noon. This impressive yet disappointing turnout falls short of previous elections, marking a record low [2][5].
According to the Elections Department (ELD), a total of 1,261,449 voters turned up at 1,240 polling stations island-wide. These figures account for roughly 48% of the 2,627,026 registered voters in all contested electoral divisions, as per the ELD's 12pm update [1].
With queues forming early at several polling stations, voters didn't let a bit of heavy rain in some areas deter them from exercising their democratic right. The National Environment Agency (NEA) had earlier issued a weather alert at 6.33am, warning of "heavy rain over many areas of Singapore" between 7.15am and 8.45am [1].
The election commenced at 8am after a nine-day campaign period. The race is Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first since taking office last year. This election saw candidacies from 211 contenders hailing from 11 political parties and one independent candidate, vie for 97 parliamentary seats across 33 constituencies [3].
Notably, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) had already secured five seats through a walkover in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Group Representation Constituency (GRC). Making history, this marks the first time the PAP has contested all 97 seats [3][5].
Crucial issues such as housing, economy, and the rising cost of living weigh heavily on voters' minds [1]. A notable return to the election scene is the permission for in-person rallies after they were suspended during the last election due to Covid-19 restrictions [1].
Competition heats up in the multi-cornered contests, with the four-way fight in Tampines GRC serving as an example. Meanwhile, Mountbatten SMC sees a straight fight between the PAP and an independent candidate [5].
The PAP retains dominance, securing 87 out of the 97 seats (up from 83 in 2020) with 65.57% of the popular vote, which is a 4.33-point increase from the 2020 election [1][2].
[1] Channel NewsAsia, 2025-05-03, Singapore General Election 2025: Where to vote and results
[2] Straits Times, 2025-05-03, 3 May 2025 General Election: Preview of key issues and what to expect
[3] Chong, G.T, 2025-05-02, General Election 2025: PAP fields candidates in all 97 seats, WP contests 26; Five-cornered fight in Tampines
[4] Kong, L., 2025-05-02, Election tools: Can you spot the plastic spoons, map out votes, or use the 'fake news' button?
[5] Channel NewsAsia, 2025-05-03, Singapore General Election 2025: Key takeaways
[6] The Online Citizen, 2025-05-03, Singapore's General Election 2025: Expectations, Issues, and Predictions
- The weather in Singapore caused a heavy rain alert on the morning of the Singapore General Election 2025, but voters bravely cast their votes despite the downpour.
- The low voter turnout of 48% in Singapore's General Election 2025 breaks previous records, disappointing despite an impressive initial voter count.
- Despite the rain, queues formed early at several polling stations, showing voters' commitment to exercising their democratic right.
- The Singapore General Election 2025 saw 212 contenders from 11 political parties, including one independent candidate, vying for 97 parliamentary seats.
- The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) contested all 97 seats in the election, securing 87 seats (up from 83 in 2020) with 65.57% of the popular vote.
- Crucial issues like the economy, housing, and rising cost of living were major concerns for voters in the Singapore General Election 2025.
- As the election results revealed, the PAP dominated the competition, particularly in the five-cornered fight in Tampines GRC and the straight fight in Mountbatten SMC.
