Singapore Voters Hit the Polls With the Ruling People’s Action Party Seen Retaining Power

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s party will extend its 55-year rule in Singapore, as it seeks a fresh mandate to counter the city-state’s worst-ever recession amid the coronavirus pandemic.

However the win wasn’t as decisive as in years past. Ballot counts released in several constituencies across the island so far showed the ruling People’s Action Party leading, but generally by smaller margins than in 2015.

The opposition Workers’ Party held leads in both constituencies it currently holds in parliament, according to preliminary ballot sample counts, and led in a new group district. If those results hold in the final results, which are still being counted and could change, it would be a historic showing for them.

Wearing masks and observing strict social distancing at polling booths, all voters had their temperature screened as authorities worked to ensure safety amid the Covid-19 outbreak that’s shaken the city-state. Counting began immediately after polls closed, with the final outcome likely to be clear late Friday or early Saturday.

While Singapore bans opinion polls during election campaigns, analysts and the opposition parties expect the PAP to form the next government. It’s been in power since the country’s independence in 1965 and has never won less than 93% of parliamentary seats, despite seeing its popular vote slip as low as 60% in 2011.

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