GE2025 Singapore election rally: What happened and where to watch PAP, Workers’ Party, SDP rallies and more

SINGAPORE — The Singapore election rally – now allowed during GE2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic – returns in a slew of events held on Thursday (24 April). Police issued permits to the People’s Power Party (PPP), Progress Singapore Party (PSP), People’s Action Party (PAP), Workers’ Party (WP) and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) for election rallies scheduled from 7pm to 10pm on Thursday.

The venues were Temasek Junior College (PPP rally – Tampines GRC), Catholic High School (PSP rally – Marymount SMC), Woodlands Stadium (PAP rally – Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC), the field along Anchorvale Crescent next to The Vales condominium (WP rally – Sengkang GRC) and Choa Chu Kang Stadium (SDP rally – Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC).

At the PAP rally at Woodlands Stadium, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong acknowledged Singaporean concerns over cost of living and jobs – and has vowed to lead the country through the fog of uncertainty over global trade. He emphasised his party’s priority to tackle economic fears. He pointed out how the PAP adopts a strategic and long term view towards the prosperity of Singapore.

“This is the PAP way. We don’t just fight fires. We plan ahead. And we never stop building a better Singapore with you,” Wong said. PM Wong also advised the public to stay united as Singaporeans in the heat of the election battle. “We are all Singaporeans first and foremost,” he said.

At the WP rally at the field along Anchorvale Crescent, the importance of political competition was a theme. WP chief Pritam Singh was the last to speak at the rally. And he used the opportunity to hammer home his message that WP has proven itself in difficult times and will continue to do so in the current climate of uncertainty caused by the global trade war. “The Workers’ Party has been stress-tested when Singapore was in crisis,” Singh said, referring to WP’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Workers’ Party is a force for good. We coalesce as one people with Singaporeans in the face of danger,” he added.

Read more about the Singapore election rally events here.

Walkover on Nomination Day 2025

In the first walkover at a Singapore General Election since 2011, the People’s Action Party (PAP) team retained Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC on Nomination Day after a surprise no-show from the Workers’ Party (WP). In the 2011 General Election, the PAP team led by then-Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew were elected as the representatives of Tanjong Pagar GRC.

The PAP had a surprise of their own too at Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, with newcomer Goh Pei Ming, an ex-Singapore Armed Forces chief of staff, replacing Manpower Minister Tan See Leng at the last minute. Besides Goh, the other members of the GRC who were elected unopposed are Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, incumbent Members of Parliament Seah Kian Peng and Tin Pei Ling, and new candidate Diana Pang.

Other developments of note at Nomination Day 2025 include DPM Heng Swee Keat’s and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean’s retirement from politics, a four-cornered fight among the WP, National Solidarity Party (NSP), People’s Power Party (PPP) and PAP for Tampines GRC, and DPM Gan Kim Yong’s move to lead PAP’s team to contest Punggol GRC against WP’s team led by its “star” candidate Harpreet Singh.

On Nomination Day, candidates made their bids for 97 seats across 33 constituencies. Parties that will be contesting the Singapore General Election 2025 include the People’s Action Party (PAP), Workers’ Party (WP), Red Dot United (RDU), Progress Singapore Party (PSP), People’s Power Party (PPP), National Solidarity Party (NSP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) and Singapore United Party (SUP).

Triggering Singapore General Election 2025

Singapore’s Parliament was dissolved on 15 April ahead of a general election (GE2025) on 3 May. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, “President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, on the advice of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, has dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, 15 April 2025. The Prime Minister also advised that Nomination Day be on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, and the President has agreed.”

The vote will be the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took over from Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as leader of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in May 2024. In March, under Wong’s leadership, Singapore passed an historic $143 billion Budget for 2025, the largest in the country’s history.

In a post on his Facebook page, Wong said, “Earlier today, I advised the President to dissolve Parliament and issue the Writ of Election. Nomination Day will be on Wednesday, 23 April. Polling Day will be on Saturday, 3 May. More details here: https://go.gov.sg/ge15apr

“We are witnessing profound changes in the world. It is becoming more uncertain, unsettled and even unstable. The global conditions that enabled Singapore’s success over the past decades may no longer hold.

“That is why I have called this General Election. At this critical juncture, Singaporeans should decide on the team to lead our nation, and to chart our way forward together.”

GE2025: What are the important dates to note?

Following the dissolution of Parliament and the issuing of the Writ of Election on 15 April, here are the other notable dates leading up to the polls in Singapore’s general election 2025:

23 April: Nomination Day; also the start of a nine-day campaigning period for candidates.

2 May: Cooling-Off Day

3 May: Polling Day

How can you find out your constituency in the upcoming General Election?

The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) released its report on 11 March. Singapore’s electoral map will see significant changes ahead of the 2025 General Election (GE2025). The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) proposed the introduction of five new Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and six new Single Member Constituencies (SMCs). These changes come as a result of rapid population growth in areas such as Punggol, Sembawang, and Tengah. Voter numbers will rise to 97 Members of Parliament, ensuring a better reflection of the growing population across the island.

While some constituencies remain unchanged, others are realigned to address new housing developments and population trends. Read more on the electoral boundary changes for GE2025 here.

Which constituency are you in? Check here at the Elections Department’s Electoral Division Enquiry.

Who can vote in Singapore’s General Election?

According to the Elections Department Singapore (ELD), you can vote if your name is in the certified Register of Electors (RE) for an electoral division (constituency). Your name will be included in the RE before polling day if you are:

1. A Singapore citizen;

2. At least 21 years of age;

3. Not disqualified from being an elector under any prevailing law
   (a) Registered Singapore address on NRIC or,
   (b) If residing overseas, has registered a Local Contact Address (LCA).

Learn more about the qualifying criteria.

Not sure if you’re eligible?

You may check your eligibility by following these steps:

1. Online via Singpass app;

2. Online at the Elections Department Voter Services using your Singpass;

3. At community centres/clubs and ServiceSG Centres (with NRIC/passport);

4. At Singapore overseas missions serving as overseas registration centres (with NRIC/passport); or

5. At the Elections Department office, (with NRIC/passport) by making an e-appointment.

How to cast your vote in Singapore’s General Election?

The ELD advises that you will receive your poll card through the post at your latest residential address registered with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) two to three working days after Nomination Day if you are a qualified elector and your electoral division is contested.

Alternatively, you may access your ePoll card via your Singpass mobile app or online at Voter Services using your Singpass after Nomination Day.

You can use the Singpass mobile app to access your ePoll card and use it in lieu of the hard copy poll card.

You can also log on to Voter Services on the ELD website via Singpass to retrieve your ePoll card.

Is Polling Day a public holiday in Singapore?

Yes, Polling Day is a public holiday for the general and presidential elections.

Do you still have to vote if you’re working on Polling Day?

The ELD advised that because voting is compulsory in Singapore, eligible voters must cast their vote. “Polling hours are from 8am to 8 pm. Under the law, all employers must give employees, who are qualified electors, a reasonable period of time for them to vote. Affected employees are advised to promptly inform their employers if they need to request for time-off, so that appropriate work arrangements can be made to cover their duties when they are away,” ELD said.

Can I vote in Singapore’s General Election if I’m overseas for work or holiday?

You won’t be able to vote if you’re not physically in Singapore. According to ELD, being overseas is a valid reason for not voting.

However, your name will still be removed from the Registers of Electors after the election. You may apply to restore your name to the registers at Voter Services using your Singpass. Because you have a valid reason for not voting, there will be no administrative fee levied when you apply to restore your name to the register.