Nomination Day is always filled with surprises, but this year’s Nomination Day is especially surprising. Aside from last-minute tactical changes that would make even Zhuge Liang proud, there were also eye-opening events such as an actual walkover, the likes of which have not been seen in 14 years.
A Walkover Has Just Occurred
For the first time in 14 years, a walkover has occurred.
The People’s Action Party (PAP) team for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Group Representation Constituency (GRC) has been elected after the Workers’ Party (WP) opted not to file nomination papers.
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The last time a walkover had occurred, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had guided his PAP team to win Tanjong Pagar GRC unopposed.
The walkover came as a real surprise considering how the Workers’ Party had contested Marine Parade GRC in both 2015 and 2020. And though several WP supporters and party member Jeraldine Phneah were spotted in the area on Nomination Day, no nomination papers were submitted.
WP chief Pritam Singh would later explain his decision, stating that although it was a tough decision to make, it was for the best possible chance of electoral success in other select constituencies.
After GE2025, however, they might work towards the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC again.
Meanwhile, the five-member PAP team that was elected consists of incumbent members of Parliament Seah Kian Peng and Tin Pei Ling, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Faishal Ibrahim as well as new faces Diana Pang and Goh Pei Ming.
Former Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, who seemed to be leading the team, was replaced by Goh Pei Ming, a former Army general. Dr Tan was later seen at the nomination centre for Choa Chu Kang GRC.
A Sudden Change in Anchor Ministers
Previously, it was announced that Dr Tan See Leng would be the anchor minister in Marine-Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.
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In a manoeuvre that nobody saw coming, however, he ended up moving to Choa Chu Kang GRC.
At the same time, DPM Gan Kim Yong, who was poised to defend his seat in Choa Chu Kang GRC, has shifted to Punggol GRC.
WP’s Punggol Line-Up
The Workers’ party is fielding an all-star lineup for their contests in Punggol GRC and Tampines GRC.
Lest you’re unaware, their key members this election, not including incumbent MPs, are Senior Counsel Harpeet Singh, IMH psychologist Dr Ong Lue Ping, Harvard-educated Michael Thng and senior director of publisher business development at an advertising tech firm Alexis Dang.
Harpeet Singh and Alexis Dang, together with Jackson Au, Siti Alia Abdul Rahim Mattar, will form WP’s team in Punggol GRC.Â
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As mentioned in the earlier point, DPM Gan Kim Yong, who was expected to lead the Choa Chu Kang GRC PAP team into GE2025, was switched to Punggol GRC.
Given how Mr Singh has been dubbed the WP’s “star catch”, and how DPM Gan has become synonymous with the term “task force”, this might be a match to behold.
WP’s Tampines Line-Up
At the same time, WP has fielded their other two key candidates, Dr Ong and Michael Thng, in Tampines GRC.
Incumbent Adjunid MP Faisap will be fielded at Tampines GRC as well.
It will be a four-cornered fight for Tampines GRC with NSP, PPP and PAP all also contesting.
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Back in GE2020, PAP had secured victory with 66.41% of the votes against an NSP team.
DPM Heng Swee Keat and SM Teo Chee Hean Are Retiring
Back when Teo Chee Hean wasn’t lined up as part of the Pasir Ris-Changi team, Singaporeans expected him to be part of the Punggol team.
However, it seems that Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean will be stepping away from politics altogether.
And it’s not just him either. Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will, too, be retiring.
In a heartfelt Facebook post published earlier today (23 April 2025), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong thanked both of them for their service, describing them as “giants in public service” who “worked tirelessly to lay such strong and enduring foundations”.
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