Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) was denied an automatic return to power for the first time in 18 years yesterday after opposition groups nominated candidates for more than half of the parliamentary seats up for grabs in the May 6 elections.
After official nominations were filed by candidates yesterday, media reports said the three opposition parties were fielding a total of 47 candidates, more than half of the 84 seats in parliament.
Only 37 seats were not contested which would not be enough for the PAP to form the next government. It was the first time since 1988 that the PAP was not automatically returned to power on nomination day.
In the previous three elections, the PAP won without a single vote being cast because there were not enough opposition candidates.
While the PAP is sure to win, the focus will be on how big Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's (李顯龍) mandate will be.
"We are ready," said the prime minister, who is being challenged by a Workers' Party team in his Ang Mo Kio group representative constituency.
Workers' Party chief Low Thia Kiang said the aim was not to unseat Lee as the member of parliament for his district, but to allow Singaporeans in the area the chance to vote.
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