Singapore: Ruling PAP wins Friday’s general elections

Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) dominated Friday’s general election, but with a reduced majority.

According to the international news agency, The PAP, in power since 1965, won 83 of 93 parliamentary seats or 61.2% of the vote – down from nearly 70% it had in the 2015 poll.

The opposition Workers’ Party got 10 seats.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong comes back to the office as PAP gains the victory.

Mr. Lee has been in office since 2004. He is the son of the country’s founding father and long-time ruler Lee Kuan Yew.

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On the other hand, supporters of the Workers’ Party have been celebrating, as they were seen waving party flags and honking horns on the streets. 

Loke Hoe Yeong, the author of First Wave, a book on the history of the Singapore opposition, said, “The results have surpassed the expectations even of some in the opposition,”

The main issue which affected the election results was the government’s handling of coronavirus pandemic and its economic consequences. 

During the elections, strict measures were taken; voters were required to wear gloves and masks. They were given voting slots. 

Singapore has been one of the worst-affected countries in the Asia-Pacific region. There are 45,613 confirmed cases of coronavirus out of which 26 people have died whereas 41,780 patients have recovered. The number of active cases is 3,807.