Voters in Singapore cast ballots amidst election, with living expenses as a significant concern shaping the electoral landscape.
Heads to the Polls Amid Rain as Singapore Votes
People fortunate enough to have a dry day made their way to schools and other designated polling stations to vote during a brief downpour. Despite the rain, nearly 2.76 million eligible voters cast their ballots, with polling in Singapore compulsory.
The incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) has secured five of the 97 parliamentary seats, as they were unopposed. Voting came to a close at 8pm local time, with the outcome due in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Known for their clean and effective governance, the PAP is seen as a symbol of stability and prosperity in Singapore. While the party is assured of victory, cracks are beginning to show in its support base due to discontent over a high cost of living.
Singapore's Electorate Speaks Out
Although the PAP remains the main political force, there's some uncertainty whether they will retain their parliamentary supermajority in this election. With a more engaged and organized opposition, led by the Workers' Party, the traditional PAP electoral advantage is facing challenges. However, many voters continue to view the PAP as a "safe haven" during uncertain times. Yet, this stalwart presence may be less effective now due to increasing voter skepticism and calls for a broader range of voices in parliament.
Top of the Agenda: Cost of Living
While geopolitical uncertainties persist, the primary concerns for Singaporean voters are domestic issues. In a January 2025 study by Blackbox Research’s SensingSG, the high cost of living emerged as the top concern, followed closely by employment and housing. High-income groups tend to prioritize civil rights and democracy issues, while lower-income voters focus on local governance, candidate quality, infrastructure, and service delivery. These practical concerns suggest an electorate driven by pragmatism rather than ideology.
Cost of Living Concerns
Affordability of public housing and overall economic strain are at the forefront of voter minds. Opposition parties need to address these concerns while also taking into account external factors like tariffs introduced by the Trump administration, which could impact Singapore's trade-dependent economy. Despite these challenges, voters tend to prioritize domestic economic stability and quality of governance over external factors when casting their votes.
In essence, Singapore's political landscape in 2025 is marked by PAP's continued dominance with a changing leadership, a more assertive opposition, and an electorate primarily concerned about the high cost of living, employment, and housing. As the election results come in, it will be interesting to see how voters' pragmatic concerns align with domestic and international economic realities and the call for a more diverse parliamentary representation.
In the 2025 general elections in Singapore, the People's Action Party (PAP) is not only navigating a shifting political landscape but also addressing the compulsory issue of the high cost of living, which the Blackbox Research’s SensingSG identified as a top concern among voters. PAP's traditional electoral advantage faces challenges from a more organized opposition, led by the Workers' Party, in the battle for parliamentary seats. Despite the contest, many voters continue to find the PAP as a symbol of stability and prosperity, though some see their support gradually eroding due to discontent over rising costs. These pragmatic Singaporean voters primarily prioritize the stability of their economy, quality of governance, and affordable public housing over ideology.
