On May 19, 2025, the Elections Department announced that Workers’ Party (WP) members Andre Low and Eileen Chong have been appointed as Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs), marking their official entry into Singapore’s 15th Parliament. This appointment follows the results of the 2025 General Election and is in line with Singapore’s electoral provisions to ensure a minimum level of opposition representation in Parliament.
Andre Low, aged 34, contested in Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC), where he faced off against People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate Ng Chee Meng. Although he lost, Low secured 48.53 per cent of the vote in a closely fought battle. His performance was the highest among all losing WP candidates in single-seat contests. Meanwhile, Eileen Chong, 33, was part of the WP team contesting in Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC), which received 47.37 per cent of the vote. This was the second-highest vote share among unelected opposition GRC teams.
Both Andre Low and Eileen Chong were first-time candidates in the 2025 General Election and are considered part of WP’s younger slate of politicians. Their performances, though not leading to electoral victory, were strong enough to secure NCMP positions under the current scheme.
The NCMP scheme is designed to ensure that a minimum of 12 opposition members are present in Parliament, even if not elected. If opposition parties win fewer than 12 seats through elections, the remainder are filled with the “best-performing” losing opposition candidates. These NCMPs have the same rights and responsibilities as elected Members of Parliament, except in specific cases such as constitutional amendments, motions of no confidence, or financial bills related to reserves.
With WP winning 10 elected seats in GE2025, two additional NCMP positions were available. The Elections Department identified Andre Low and Eileen Chong as the most eligible based on vote share and confirmed their appointments after they accepted the offer.
The Workers’ Party released a statement welcoming their two members into Parliament under the NCMP scheme. The party highlighted their strong performance at the polls and their commitment to public service. WP stated that Low and Chong will uphold the party’s mission to serve as a rational, responsible, and respectable opposition that seeks to represent the views of Singaporeans and hold the government to account in Parliament.
Dr Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party and other opposition leaders also acknowledged the appointments, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in national debate. The announcement was positively received among segments of the electorate, particularly younger voters who had resonated with WP’s messaging and campaign themes of accountability, cost of living, and inclusive governance.
Both Low and Chong bring with them professional experience and grassroots involvement. Andre Low previously worked in public policy and was noted for his engagement with residents in Jalan Kayu during the campaign. Eileen Chong, meanwhile, has a background in the social services sector and participated actively in WP’s outreach in Tampines.
Their appointments come at a time of heightened political interest, as Singaporeans continue to engage more actively in discussions around policy and governance following GE2025. The addition of new NCMPs is expected to further enrich debates in Parliament and bring more diverse perspectives into national policymaking.
This development underscores the relevance of the NCMP scheme as a platform for capable opposition voices who narrowly missed electoral victory but have demonstrated credible support and potential to contribute constructively in Parliament.
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