Five Political Parties Hold First Physical Election Rallies in Singapore Since 2015

By
Zhi Hao
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Physical rallies are officially back.

Singapore’s first physical general election rallies in a decade are set to take place on 24 Apr 2025.

Five political parties have received permits to hold rallies from 7pm to 10pm, marking a return to in-person campaigning after pandemic restrictions in 2020.

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Parties and Venues

The five parties holding rallies are the People’s Action Party (PAP), Workers’ Party (WP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Progress Singapore Party (PSP), and People’s Power Party (PPP).

Each party will rally in a different constituency:

  • PAP (Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC): Woodlands Stadium, 7:30pm. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong leads the team, joined by Zaqy Mohamad, Alex Yam, and Hany Soh.

  • SDP (Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC): Choa Chu Kang Stadium, 7pm. The team includes Jufri Salim, Ariffin Sha, Alec Tok, and Dr Gigene Wong.

  • PPP (Tampines GRC): Temasek Junior College, 7pm. The slate features Goh Meng Seng, Derrick Sim, Vere Nathan, Peter Soh, and Arbaah Haroun.

  • PSP (Marymount SMC): Catholic High School, 7pm. Jeffrey Khoo is the candidate, facing PAP incumbent Gan Siow Huang.

  • WP (Sengkang GRC): Field along Anchorvale Crescent, next to The Vales Condominium, 7:45pm. The team consists of He Ting Ru, Louis Chua, Jamus Lim, and Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik.

Security and Crowd Measures

Authorities expect large crowds at all rally venues. Attendees are strongly encouraged to use public transport.

Traffic diversions, lane closures, and restricted carpark access are in effect at each site. Only season parking holders may use carparks in the vicinity.

Vehicles parked illegally or causing obstruction may be towed away.

Security checks will be conducted at and around rally sites. Attendees are advised not to bring large bags or prohibited items, including weapons, glass bottles, laser pointers, and canned drinks.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has established Temporary Restricted Areas (TRA) over all rally venues from 6pm to 11pm. Flying drones or conducting other aerial activities is prohibited during this period unless authorised by CAAS.

Rally Permits and Regulations

Candidates must apply for permits to hold rallies at designated venues. The police allocate venues by ballot if multiple applications are submitted for the same site and time.

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There is no fee for the permit, but venue rental charges may apply. Applications for rally permits must be submitted by 4pm the day before the intended rally.

The use of the Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park is suspended from Nomination Day onwards. Public events or assemblies at this location require a police permit during the election period.

Context and Significance

These rallies are the first since 2015, as the 2020 general election was conducted without physical rallies due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The 2025 General Election features 51 designated rally sites across the country, with 49 assigned to contested constituencies and two for lunchtime rallies in the city.

Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC is notable for hosting rallies by both PAP and SDP on the same night.

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Tampines GRC sees a four-cornered fight, with PPP holding the first rally there. PSP is holding its first-ever physical rally, inviting supporters from across Singapore.

Advisory for Attendees

  • Use public transport to avoid congestion.

  • Follow directional signage and comply with security checks.

  • Do not bring prohibited items.

  • Check ride-hailing apps for changes to pick-up and drop-off points.

  • Note that aerial activities, including drone flying, are banned within a 1-km radius of rally sites during the restricted period.

These rallies mark a milestone in Singapore’s electoral process, bringing back the sights and sounds of public campaigning after a ten-year pause.

These five GRCs could see the tightest battle in GE2025; here’s why:

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Zhi Hao
Email: [email protected]