Singapore has officially entered its General Election season following the dissolution of parliament on 15 April 2025.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam issued a formal proclamation under Article 66 of the Constitution, confirming that polling will occur within three months from that date.
Nomination Day has been scheduled for 23 April 2025, according to an announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Writ of Election, expected to be issued shortly, will detail Polling Day and provide procedural information for candidates.
This election marks a key milestone for Singapore, being the first led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
He assumed office in May 2024, succeeding Lee Hsien Loong, and heads the fourth-generation or 4G leadership team.
Unlike some parliamentary systems, Singapore’s Cabinet ministers will retain their responsibilities despite the dissolution of parliament.
They continue their duties until the first sitting of the new parliament.
The recently concluded 14th Parliament, which began on 24 August 2020, was the second longest in the nation’s history.
It ended with the highest number of vacant seats since independence, following the departure of six Members of Parliament for varying reasons.
The upcoming election could involve candidates from up to 11 political parties, including two opposition alliances.
The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) is expected to face challenges in all 97 seats.
These span 18 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and 15 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs).
Opposition parties have consistently contested all seats since the 2015 General Election.
In 2020, the Workers’ Party (WP) and the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) secured parliamentary representation, with WP leader Pritam Singh designated as Leader of the Opposition.
A key focus in this election is the return of physical campaigning.
Rallies, absent for the past decade, are expected to make a comeback, marking the first full campaign season since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public concerns over issues such as cost of living, job stability, and unemployment are likely to dominate campaign discussions. These were highlighted in a national survey conducted in January 2025.
Speculation about an impending election had been mounting since the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) was convened on 22 January.
Its report, released in early March, outlined significant revisions to constituency borders.
According to the EBRC, five GRCs and four SMCs remain unchanged from the 2020 election, while other areas have been redrawn to reflect population shifts.
Political parties have been intensifying ground efforts and unveiling potential candidates in recent weeks, further signalling the ramp-up to full campaign mode.
The exact date of Polling Day will be determined when the Writ of Election is issued. Under Singapore law, it must fall within three months of the dissolution date.
The election is expected to shape the country’s political landscape, especially as the 4G leadership seeks a fresh mandate from voters.
The post GE2025: Singapore parliament dissolved, Nomination Day set for 23 April ahead of General Election appeared first on The Online Citizen.
