Election
Early indications
Possibly 50-60 seats contested this time, which means PAP will not form new government on nomination day. By Seah Chiang Nee
Feb 18, 2006

It's almost certain now that the era of the People's Action Party being declared the new government on Nomination Day will come to an end - at least for now.

The best indication so far is that the opposition will be able to put up at least 50-60 candidates for the 84-seat Parliament election.

In the last election in 2001, only 29 - or about one-third - were fielded. In fact during the last three elections, the ruling party became the outrght winner when nomination ended.

That after 40 years of democracy, voters are still counting the number of candidates the opposition can put up as an important factor, not seats won or lost - is a poor indictment of the state of politics in Singapore.

This time, however, more voters are likely to have a chance to vote judging by the declarations of intent by the two biggest opposition parties, the Workers Party (WP), led by Mr. Low Thia Khiang and the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), Led by Mr. Chiam See Tong.

If what they say materialises, their combined candidacy - 46 candidates - would by itself alone be enough to stop the PAP being declared outright winner before Election Day, even if all others fail to field any.

The SDA is an alliance of four parties: SPP, National Solidarity Party, Singapore Justice Party and Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS).

Their proposed lists are as follows: -

Workers Party = 26 candidates (compared to two in 2001).

3 single wards
Hougang
Nee Soon East
Joo Chiat
Total 3

Four GRCs (Group Representative Constituencies)
Sembawang (6 candidates)
East Coast (6 candidates)
Aljunied (5 candidates)
Ang Mo Kio (6 candidates)
Total 23

Singapore Democratic Alliance = 20 candidates (2001: 13)

5 singles
Potong Pasir,
Choa Chu Kang,
Bukit Timah,
Ayer Rajah and
MacPherson
Total = 5

3 GRCs
Tampines (5 candidates)
Jalan Besar (5 candidates)
Pasir-Ris-Punggol (5)
total 15

The other parties, Singapore Democratic Party and Democratic Progressive Party, have not announced their plans, but in the last election, their fielded a total of 14 candidates.

Assuming there's no change and field the same number, the total number of opposition for the 84-seat Parliament will be about 60, discounting any possibility of any independent.

It is also not yet confirmed if they can all work out a deal to avoid three-corner fights, not an easy arrangement.

The apperance ofindependent candidates can also throw a spanner in the single-ward contests for the opposition.

The unknwon quantity is the Singapore Democratic Party in the wake of its leader, Mr. Chee Soon Juan being declared a bankrupt over a defamation conviction.

He cannot compete. It is not known how this will affect his party's preparation.

But it is unlikely for either party not to completely stay out without giving the impression that it is in disarray or about to go into decline.

Besides, even if Mr. Chee, a firebrand leader, cannot participate, his party still can and there's nothing to prevent him from campaigning.

In all likelihood, he will do so, possible aided by another fierce debater, Mr. JB Jeyaratnam, former Workers Party leader, who is now believed to be allied with Mr. Chee.
By Seah Chiang Nee