Singapore GE: Ruling PAP cedes ground to opposition in pandemic poll
Saturday, 11 Jul 2020 06:58 AM MYT
Having held power since independence in 1965, the PAP had been widely expected to win and carry Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to what is likely his last victory before retirement as national leader. “We have a clear mandate but the percentage of the popular vote is not as high as I had hoped for,” Lee said.
Streets in the Workers’ Party stronghold district swelled with supporters honking horns, cheering and waving party flags - some seemingly paying little heed to social distancing rules. When concerns around immigration and jobs flared in 2011, the PAP polled a record low 60 per cent of the vote and tightened international hiring rules to address voters’ sensitivities.
Singapore is not the first country to hold elections during the pandemic — South Korea and Serbia have also held polls — but opposition parties had pushed back on the plan saying it endangered voters and hindered their campaigning.
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