President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has officially dissolved Singapore’s Parliament on April 15, clearing the path for the country’s 14th General Election. This move comes just months after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took the helm of the People’s Action Party (PAP) and formed the country’s fourth-generation (4G) leadership team.
Nomination Day has been scheduled for April 23, according to an announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office. A Writ of Election is expected to be issued shortly, confirming the date of Polling Day and providing essential details for all aspiring candidates. This document will include information such as the required deposit and the paperwork necessary for nomination.
This election marks a historical milestone—it is the first time that the 4G leadership will be contesting a national election with Mr Wong as Prime Minister. He assumed the role of Prime Minister in May 2024 and became Secretary-General of PAP in December, succeeding former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
A total of 97 seats will be up for contest across 33 constituencies. These include 18 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and 15 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs). This is an increase from the 93 seats contested in 2020, following recent electoral boundary changes proposed by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC). The committee, formed in January this year, released its report in early March. It outlined significant revisions to the electoral map, though five GRCs and four SMCs remained unchanged from the previous election.
In the 2020 General Election, held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the PAP secured 83 out of 93 seats, with 61.24 per cent of the popular vote. However, the opposition made gains, with the Workers’ Party (WP) winning its second GRC. WP leader Pritam Singh was formally appointed as Leader of the Opposition following that result.
For GE2025, political observers expect a broader field of candidates. As many as 11 political parties may contest, including at least two opposition alliances. Since 2015, opposition parties have fielded candidates in every single seat, and that trend is expected to continue this year.
The 14th Parliament, which began its term on August 24, 2020, was the second-longest in Singapore’s history, running for four years and eight months. It also concluded with the highest number of vacant seats seen since independence. Six Members of Parliament departed during this term for various reasons, contributing to the growing anticipation of a coming election.
Despite the dissolution of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers will continue to perform their duties until the first sitting of the next Parliament, as mandated under Singapore’s constitutional framework.
Over the past few weeks, several signs had hinted at an imminent general election. Political parties have been increasing their public visibility, introducing potential candidates and intensifying engagement efforts with residents. The announcement of the EBRC report added to the momentum, as it traditionally signals that elections are near.
Key voter concerns ahead of the election include inflation, rising costs of living, and employment challenges. A nationwide survey conducted in January highlighted these issues as top-of-mind for many Singaporeans.
Unlike the 2020 General Election, which featured COVID-19 restrictions, GE2025 is expected to see a return to traditional campaigning methods. This includes physical rallies, which have not been held since the 2011 election. Their return is likely to energise the campaign period and allow voters greater interaction with candidates on the ground.
As the countdown begins, Singapore enters a significant political moment—one that will test the leadership of Prime Minister Wong and the 4G team. All eyes are now on April 23, when nomination papers will be submitted, and the full slate of candidates will be revealed.
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