As Singapore awaits Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s official announcement of the general election date, signs point unmistakably to its imminence.
While Mr Wong has yet to reveal when the polls will be held, the People’s Action Party (PAP) has been introducing new candidates daily over the past week—an established prelude to the campaign season. The frequency and pace of these unveilings suggest that the electoral machinery is already in motion.
Yet amid this digital-era buzz and speculation, one foundational truth remains unchanged: politics is won on the ground, not on screens.
On Sunday (13 April), the Workers’ Party (WP) posted a video on Facebook calling for volunteers. The message was clear—those who believe in a “responsible alternative voice in Parliament and a better future for Singapore” should come forward.
More than just a recruitment message ahead of the writ of election, the video revealed WP’s deeper understanding of what makes a campaign effective: a robust volunteer force, not just polished candidates or well-edited videos.
While political personalities and policy ideas are essential, a party’s ability to mobilise volunteers is what turns potential into performance.
This is especially critical during Singapore’s brief yet intense election campaign period, which spans 10 days from Nomination Day to Polling Day (including Cooling-Off Day), not to mention the crucial prep time once the writ is issued.
Unlike the ruling party, which can call upon extensive networks and logistics, opposition parties often have to rely on citizen volunteers who believe in their cause. Without access to state-linked support such as the People’s Association (PA), they must work with limited resources.
Some smaller parties have even resorted to hiring paid helpers during elections. In the 2013 Punggol East by-election, Desmond Lim of the Singapore Democratic Party reportedly offered S$7.50 an hour to campaign assistants—a move he later described as “common and the norm”.
While social media—especially TikTok—has become a powerful tool to reach younger voters, it remains no replacement for the physical presence of candidates and their teams on the ground.
Supporters of alternative parties, in particular, should remain discerning. A party that appears only during election season, relying solely on the charisma of its candidates without a visible or consistent ground operation, raises important questions about credibility and commitment.
Walkabouts through coffee shops or shopping malls cannot substitute for sustained community engagement. Voters have every right to expect parties to maintain a regular presence, to speak up on national issues year-round, and to take firm, principled positions—long before the election is called.
Without such consistency, parties risk becoming empty vessels—loud during elections, but silent in between.
Despite the rise of digital outreach, voters still value the personal connection of house visits and face-to-face conversations. Without that, engagement feels distant, and sincerity becomes difficult to judge.
That is why WP’s strength over other alternative political parties lies not only in its candidates but in its ability to attract and retain volunteers who are not incentivised by material benefits but by ideology and belief.
The presence of grassroots volunteers signifies more than manpower. It reflects a party’s organisational ability, commitment, and resonance with the electorate.
A party lacking ground support, no matter how prominent its candidates or viral its videos, risks appearing disconnected.
This is one reason why the PAP is widely believed to favour shorter campaign periods. With its logistical edge, it can quickly mobilise and cover constituencies, whereas smaller parties may struggle to field enough volunteers to canvass each GRC or SMC effectively.
The complexity of running such an operation—tracking visits, coordinating clusters, ensuring adequate coverage—requires infrastructure that many alternative parties have yet to fully develop.
Hence, when residents see a party faltering in these basics, doubts naturally arise: if a party cannot coordinate a ward walkabout, how will it manage a town council or speak credibly in Parliament?
This is where WP’s approach gains strategic importance. Its grassroots base has grown steadily over the years, starkly contrasting other parties that continue to struggle with recruiting and sustaining volunteer support.
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP), for example, faces less difficulty compared to most alternative parties—partly due to its visibility through two Non-Constituency Members of Parliament—but nonetheless continues to grapple with the challenge of building a consistent ground network.
Even the PAP is reportedly facing volunteer fatigue. According to our sources, the ruling party has been exploring ways to tap into the youth wings of the People’s Association (PA) to bolster its campaign manpower.
This dynamic also sheds light on the ongoing tension between civil society and partisan politics.
There appears to be a concerted effort—by both media narratives and institutional boundaries—to discourage close ties between civil society groups and political parties. The risk, of course, is that grassroots activism becomes depoliticised and disconnected from electoral influence.
Ironically, the PAP’s own rise to power was heavily supported by student activists and labour groups—entities it later integrated into state structures, arguably neutralising their independent power. It’s akin to tearing down the bridge after crossing it.
As the next general election looms, Singaporeans would do well to remember that parties are more than their figureheads.
To truly assess a political movement, look at its grassroots—those who knock on doors, deliver flyers, attend walkabouts, and give their time not for perks but for principles.
It is this silent army of believers, not flashy social media clips, that determines the durability of a political vision.
To volunteer for the political parties, visit:
- People’s Action Party
- Workers’ Party
- Progress Singapore Party
- Singapore Democratic Party
- Red Dot United
- People’s Reform for Alliance
- People’s Power Party
- Singapore People’s Party
- National Solidarity Party
- Singapore Democratic Alliance
The post Grassroots activism, not viral videos, forms the backbone of effective political campaigns appeared first on The Online Citizen.
