Parliament was dissolved on 15 April 2025, with Nomination Day set for 23 April and Polling Day on 3 May.
Singaporeans will elect 97 MPs across 33 constituencies in what will be the first general election under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the fourth-generation leadership team.
Opposition Parties Voice Concerns Over Election Timeline
Multiple opposition parties have expressed concerns about the short timeframe between the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report and the dissolution of Parliament.
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The EBRC report was released on 11 March, just 35 days before Parliament was dissolved. The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) called this gap “impossibly short” compared to previous elections.
In 2020, there was a three-month gap between the EBRC report publication on 13 March and the Writ issued on 23 June. In 2015, there was a one-month gap.
SDP, which plans to contest Sembawang GRC, Sembawang West SMC, Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, said this short timeline denies Singaporeans the opportunity to become thoroughly familiar with parties, platforms and candidates.
Red Dot United (RDU) secretary-general Ravi Philemon questioned the timing of Nomination Day on 23 April. He noted that if Nomination Day had been set for 22 April instead, Cooling-off Day would fall on 1 May (Labour Day) and Polling Day on 2 May.
The current schedule means opposition parties cannot respond to statements made during the May Day Rally, as it will be immediately followed by Cooling-off Day when political parties are legally barred from speaking.
The People’s Power Party (PPP) claimed the timeline appeared to be a move to capitalize on fear stoked by US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, calling it “irresponsible and an insult to the intelligence of Singaporeans.”
Despite these concerns, National Solidarity Party (NSP) secretary-general Spencer Ng told The Straits Times that the party was unsurprised by the date, saying, “This is detrimental to the spirit of democracy, but nonetheless, the opposition parties have to play by the rules set by the PAP and be ready as best we can.”
Opposition Parties Launch Campaign Efforts
The Workers’ Party (WP) quickly launched its campaign with the slogan “Working for Singapore” through a video featuring party secretary-general Pritam Singh and chair Sylvia Lim, who briefly mentioned topics like rising cost of living and housing market concerns.
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In a Facebook post, Singh said: “As an opposition party with a modest presence in Parliament, we continue to speak up for those whose voices risk being overlooked. We examine existing policies and propose fresh ideas to meet the evolving needs and aspirations of a more diverse and complex society.”
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) highlighted its parliamentary contributions through a Facebook video, noting it had raised eight parliamentary motions, six adjournment motions and over 700 parliamentary questions.
The video emphasized PSP’s stances on issues including its objection to the Goods and Services Tax hike, reducing rent for hawkers, and lowering the cost of new Housing and Development Board flats.
Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) chairman Desmond Lim said his party, which will contest Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, is in “operational readiness mode.”
The team has printed 50,000 campaign fliers and 2,000 campaign posters, with about 200 volunteers ready to serve as polling and counting agents. SDA held training sessions at its headquarters in Changi Road on 15 April. Rather than holding a physical rally, which might “inconvenience the elderly,” the party will conduct one online.
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RDU has introduced team leads for Nee Soon GRC, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC and Jurong Central SMC, while focusing on issues like cost of living, jobs and quality of life.
The Singapore People’s Party (SPP) committed to “participating actively in this democratic process” with five candidates standing in Potong Pasir SMC and Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. Secretary-general Steve Chia has called for volunteers to “come together and make a meaningful difference.”
Singapore United Party (SUP), contesting Ang Mo Kio GRC, is increasing its outreach frequency and coordinating proposers, seconders and assenters while awaiting delivery of election materials.
People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) secretary-general Lim Tean welcomed the election call in a Facebook post. The alliance, comprising three parties, aims to contest single-seat wards in Potong Pasir, Mountbatten, Radin Mas, Queenstown and Yio Chu Kang, as well as Jalan Besar GRC and Tanjong Pagar GRC.
NSP plans to contest Sembawang GRC, Sembawang West SMC, Tampines GRC, Tampines Changkat SMC and possibly Jalan Besar GRC, having filled volunteer slots in these constituencies.
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PPP has signaled intentions to contest Tampines GRC and Ang Mo Kio GRC, focusing on issues like rising cost of living, job insecurity, overpopulation, and lack of effective checks and balances.
Many opposition parties highlighted common concerns they plan to address during the campaign, particularly cost of living, housing affordability, immigration policies, and income inequality.
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