NOMINATION began at 11am today for the Singapore general election, polling for which falls on July 10.

Potential candidates have to formally submit their nomination papers by noon at nine centres in the republic. 

Besides the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has been in power until the dissolution of Parliament on June 23, the Workers’ Party (WP), Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) are expected to nominate candidates.

Other parties include the Singapore People’s Party (SPP), National Solidarity Party (NSP), Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), Reform Party (RP) and People’s Power Party (PPP).

Only aspiring candidates and their subscribers – proposer, seconder and four to eight assentors – are allowed to enter nomination centres.

As the election is taking place amid the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no physical gathering of supporters as per the Health Ministry’s guidelines, but the process can be followed on TV or online.

About 2.6 million Singaporeans will vote to elect 93 MPs, an increase from the previous 89 MPs, in 31 electoral divisions.

The representatives will be for 14 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) and 17 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs).

This will be the fourth general election for Prime Minister and PAP secretary-general Lee Hsien Loong.

In the last general election in 2015, PAP retained power by winning 83 seats. The Workers’ Party won six seats. – Bernama, June 30, 2020.