Of the 2,758,846 registered voters for Polling Day, 18,389 are Singaporeans living abroad who have successfully registered as overseas voters, said the Elections Department (ELD) on April 18. Among the latter, 8,630 will vote in person while the rest will do so by post. On May 2, polling stations in Dubai, London, Washington, New York and San Francisco opened at 8am local time. Registered voters in these locations have had the opportunity to cast their vote and some took to social media to document their unique experience voting from abroad.

It seems like the polling stations are not the only place Singaporeans are heading to this Polling Day (May 3). Shortly after noon today, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) posted on their Facebook page that travellers to Johor Bahru (JB) can expect travel delays of up to five hours or more. They updated their post at 2pm that the delay was now up to three hours.  The ICA also advised travellers to check traffic conditions before embarking on their journey, noting «extremely heavy departure traffic» at both Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints.

Singaporeans began heading to the polls early Saturday (May 3) morning as voting for the 14th General Election (GE) kicked off at 8am. Dozens of voters at a polling station in Blk 608 Clementi West St 1 started lining up as early as 7.30am, despite strong winds and torrential rain. Voters braved the rain early morning on Polling Day at Clementi. PHOTO: AsiaOne/Rauf Khan Speaking to AsiaOne, many voters described the process as «smooth» and «quite straightforward». Lujahhan, a 51-year-old, came with her husband and daughter to vote around 8.10am and was pleased with the «very easy and quick» process.

Members of the public are advised to be wary of a fake YouTube channel impersonating a trading platform, with videos aimed at deceiving users into executing malicious scripts that compromise cryptocurrency wallets. This was shared by the Singapore Police Force and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) in a joint media statement on Friday (May 2).  According to the statement, the fake YouTube channel, which bears the name and logo of trading platform TradingView, provided instructions for users to install a purportedly official application. TradingView is a legitimate online platform used to chart and analyse financial markets, including stocks, forex and cryptocurrencies. It is downloadable as a desktop and mobile application via its official website. The statement added that victims of the scam channel were directed to download and execute Windows PowerShell scripts containing a malicious PowerShell command. Upon running the command, a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) was installed onto the victims' devices, compromising their cryptocurrency wallets.

Candidates running for GE2025, their supporters and members of the public can gather at five stadiums to wait for the election results on Saturday (May 3).  The Police Elections Permit Office has designated three stadiums for the People's Action Party (PAP), one for the Worker's Party (WP) and another for the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP).  PAP Bedok Stadium PAP Bukit Gombak Stadium PAP Yio Chu Kang Stadium WP Serangoon Stadium SDP MOE (Evans) Stadium The assembly centres will be open from the closing of the polls at 8pm until 30 minutes after the announcement of the final electoral result, said the police.

What would you do if your car was next to a vehicle which was on fire?  For one man, his first instinct was to save it.  A video uploaded to Facebook group Roads.sg on Friday (May 2) showed a parked vehicle up in flames along McNair Road.  A man then appears to get into the Honda Civic parked next to the burning vehicle, driving it away from the fire. This was despite warnings from Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Singapore Police Force officers who could be heard in the video signalling and shouting for the man to «go away». A voice behind the camera could also be heard exclaiming, «Crazy fella».  After the driver exits the parking lot and comes to a stop, police officers can be seen approaching the car, with one banging on the passenger-side door and telling the driver to «come out first». The video caption stated that the Honda Civic owner was allegedly not wearing any pants during the incident. In a response to AsiaOne's queries, SCDF said they were alerted to a fire at Block 111 McNair Road on May 1 at about 8pm. 

From objectifying comments online to catcalling in person, this general election has seen a focus on women candidates — with much of it centring not on their policies or ideas, but their physical appearance. Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) took to Instagram on Thursday (May 1) to slam sexist and racist remarks that have surfaced throughout the campaign period. The gender advocacy organisation described these actions as «distasteful» and «dangerous». «A woman on the ballot should not have to face being objectified, degraded and stereotyped,» Aware wrote. «It is insulting and humiliating.»

13 youth are under police investigation for suspected involvement in damaging wheelchairs at designated general polling stations.  In a statement on Thursday (May 1), the police shared that the alleged perpetrators are aged between 13 and 20 years old and there were two separate cases where government property was damaged.  The first incident happened on April 28 at about 10.55pm at an open space that had been designated for use as a polling station.  Police received a call for assistance at Block 51A Sengkang West Avenue, where three wheelchairs belonging to the Elections Department were damaged. Officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identities of five persons believed to be involved.  Preliminary investigations found that they had allegedly used the wheelchairs to race with one another. One of them had also allegedly thrown one of the wheelchairs in the air. In the second incident, which happened on May 1, the Police received a call for assistance at Block 176B Boon Lay Drive, where a sheltered basketball court had been cordoned off to be used as a polling station.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has promised that he and his team would focus on what matters the most, such as solving problems, improving lives and taking Singapore forward. In the final People's Action Party's (PAP) rally at Yusof Ishak Secondary School on Thursday (May 1) for Punggol GRC, PM Wong, who is also the secretary-general of the party, asked Singaporeans if they want «more politics» or «real solutions». «Do we want a country where everything is turned into a fight, divided by anger, or do we want a country where we can find common ground, lift each other up and move forward as one? »I say, let's choose unity over division. Let's choose integrity over half truths. Let's choose action over posturing. Let's choose Singapore and build our future together.«  He advised Singaporeans to »calm down« and consider their options. »If you truly believe that the PAP is still the best party for Singapore in these uncertain times, then stand with us,« he said. »Support me and my team. Vote for the PAP."

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) disagreed with the notion that losing some cabinet ministers would weaken the government, stating that voters need not worry for the People's Action Party (PAP) and should «worry about ordinary Singaporeans instead». At the party's final rally this general election on Thursday (May 1), PSP vice-chair Hazel Poa said: «PAP also says that if you vote for opposition, they could lose ministers. »But look at Minister Ong Ye Kung. He lost in GE2011 in Aljunied GRC, but he was brought back in the next election through a different GRC. «So do not worry for PAP. Let’s worry about ordinary Singaporeans instead,» she added. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Ong were some of the PAP candidates who made similar statements during the election period. These came as the focus was sharpened on the battleground ward of Punggol, where PAP had deployed Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to fend off Workers' Party's advances. PSP secretary-general Leong Mun Wai also chimed in on the topic during the rally held at Jurong West Stadium.

In his nearly 30-minute speech to a packed crowd in Hougang on Thursday (May 1), Workers' Party secretary-general Pritam Singh made several counterpoints to what the People's Action Party (PAP) had said throughout the nine days of campaigning this General Election. Notably among them was Pritam's rebuttal to PAP's warning that losing ministers would weaken Singapore, reiterating his earlier remarks that Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who made a surprise move from Chua Chu Kang GRC to contest Punggol GRC this GE, was not «indispensable». «If Gan is not re-elected, Singaporeans need not feel guilty — after all, you did not put him at risk, the PAP did,» said the party chief, adding that DPM Gan and other ministers can continue serving Singapore even if they lose in an election. Further refuting PM Wong's caution that a weakened mandate would make it harder for the PAP to represent Singaporean's interests internationally, Pritam also said that the PAP will still have a «very big» majority in Parliament even if all 26 WP candidates were elected.

Workers' Party (WP) chairperson Sylvia Lim believes Singaporeans are ready to accept more «rational, respectable and responsible opposition MPs». In the political parties' second and final television broadcast this general election aired on Thursday (May 1), Lim's speech was themed around a «new spirit» as Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence this year. «We are cohesive enough as a society, robust enough as an economy and mature enough as a nation,» the 60-year-old said. Lim added that even if all WP candidates this election are elected, the People's Action Party (PAP) will still have a strong mandate to govern. «But it will govern subject to scrutiny by well-qualified, dedicated, and independent WP MPs.» WP is fielding 26 candidates this election. It will be defending 10 seats in Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and Hougang SMC while challenging for 16 more in the GRCs of Tampines, Punggol, East Coast, and the SMCs of Tampines Changkat and Jalan Kayu.

Who do you believe can secure a brighter future for you and your children? This is one of the many questions Prime Minister Lawrence Wong posed to Singaporeans during the People's Action Party's (PAP) final party political broadcast on Thursday (May 1). The 52-year-old, who is the party's secretary-general, added: «I believe all of us want Singapore to continue to succeed. We want to reach greater heights. We want a better future for ourselves and the next generation. »The question is: how do we get there? All the opposition parties say this is the PAP's job. The PAP will form the government. The PAP will do the heavy lifting.« PM Wong continued: »They only want more seats in Parliament to have more alternative voices. More seats, but not more responsibility.« Opposition parties offer all sorts of sweet deals, he said. »They even outbid one another - if one party offers something, another will offer something bigger. They make these promises freely because they don't have to bear the responsibility of delivering what they propose."

People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) leader Lim Tean has described the current government as «the most incompetent People's Action Party (PAP) government in history». He also voiced that the reasons given by PAP are «nothing more than a distraction to mask their utter incompetence in government the last five years». Aside from PAR, other opposition parties such as the National Solidarity Party (NSP), People's Power Party (PPP), Red Dot United (RDU), Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) and Progress Singapore Party (PSP) also delivered their speech in the final round of party political broadcasts on Thursday (May 1) for General Election 2025. Most parties used their airtime to call on Singaporeans to vote for fairer policies and greater political diversity in Parliament. During the 60-min broadcast, NSP candidate, Lee Wei pointed out the need for better representation in Parliament, stating, «Without a stronger, fairer parliamentary system, your concerns are too easily ignored once the votes are counted.» PPP's candidate Thaddeus Thomas echoed this sentiment, asserting that «no party holds a monopoly on good policy ideas».

Workers' Party (WP) Harpreet Singh said that comments made about his teammate Alexis Dang's physical appearance, particularly from men, are unacceptable.  In response to a reporter's question about such remarks during a walkabout in Punggol on May 1, Singh said: «This is my message for men out there. Those types of comments are unacceptable, and they must stop. We must respect women. »We must, first and foremost, see them as individuals. And I can say this about our team down here, the men, Jackson and I, if any man tries to make that kind of comment within earshot of us, you're going to have to deal with us.«  When asked for her views, Dang said the team appreciates all scrutiny and attention given to them as it's important for residents to know who will be representing them in Punggol.  »However, as a female candidate myself, I do think that society tends to view us in a certain way, and people have expectations on how we should behave, how we should carry ourselves, how we should come across. That's just natural part and parcel of how things are," she added.

Campaigning for this year's General Election will cease on Friday (May 2), which has been designated as Cooling-off Day. This cooling-off period starts on May 2 after midnight and ends after the polls close on May 3, said the Elections Department (ELD).  This period provides «time and space for voters to reflect rationally on issues raised during the election campaign before going to the polls», said ELD.  Here's what you can expect:  No election advertisements During the cooling-off period, campaigning activities are banned.  Both online and non-online forms of election advertisements must not be published or publicly displayed on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day, and changes are not allowed to be made to any existing advertisements.  Campaigning activities and election advertising which are prohibited during the cooling-off period include the sharing, re-sharing, re-posting or boosting of Online Election Advertising. 

The Progress Singapore Party's (PSP) has dismissed Health Minister Ong Ye Kung's claims that the Singapore government doesn't need a strong opposition. In a rally (April 30) to support Sembawang West SMC's PAP candidate Poh Li San last night (April 30), Ong said he believes a strong People's Action Party (PAP) government with a constructive opposition as a check and balance will make an effective system of governance. «We don't need a strong opposition. We need a strong ruling party, which is the PAP,» the 55-year-old said then, adding that a stronger opposition presence in Parliament could lead to a Parliament gridlock.  In response to Ong claims, PSP's chairman Dr Tan Cheng Bock told reporters at Boon Lay Place today (May 1) that he is used to the rhetoric and «that rhetoric is very old».  The 85-year-old shared: «When we have more opposition in the Parliament, we are going to receive very diverse views and ideas.» He believed the ruling government should respond to questions raised by oppositions because they are «replying to Singaporeans».

Claims from opposition parties that losing political office holders won't weaken the government is «plain and simple» electioneering, said Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. In a Facebook post on Wednesday (April 30), ESM Goh provided his take on the potential impact that losing ministers could have on the government, using the analogy of a football team. He wrote: «If four seasoned members of a football team's starting 11 are absent, will the team be weaker? According to the opposition, the answer is 'no'. Because you can use the reserves, they say.»

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver his first May Day Rally speech as Prime Minister on Thursday (May 1) at 10.15am. He will be speaking to an audience of about 1,600 labour movement leaders, tripartite partners and guests at D'Marquee in Downtown East. National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng, who is also PAP's candidate for Jalan Kayu SMC, will deliver an opening address at the annual rally. Members of the public can also watch the livestream on NTUC's YouTube channel. editor@asiaone.com

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned of turbulent times ahead for Singaporeans as US tariffs threaten to disrupt both economic and geopolitical relations in his May Day Rally speech on Thursday (May 1). In his first speech at the May Day Rally as prime minister, PM Wong addressed a crowd of over 1,600 union leaders, tripartite partners, and guests at Downtown East on Labour Day, which also coincides with the last day of campaigning for GE2025. «This year, we have a double celebration, May Day and SG60. And we have every reason to rejoice. Look at how far we've come in Singapore these last 60 years,» he said. «It wasn't always an easy road. We've had our ups and downs. But through it all, we stood together, we stood united.» He then pointed out the Singapore today is a testament to the dedication and resilience of workers in Singapore and unions. 

Former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong has stepped into the political ring for the fourth time in a general election, for what he says is his final charge. The 60-year-old, who is part of the WP team contesting in East Coast GRC, lost in Joo Chiat SMC by 388 votes in the watershed 2011 election. He describes his 2025 bid as an “old soldier” returning to the battleground. He had publicly announced his retirement from electoral politics in 2021. He drew a parallel to the late American general Douglas MacArthur who had to retire twice, after being recalled to active duty in 1941 when the US was dragged into war again. Quoting a saying by the US general that goes “Old soldiers never die. They simply fade away”, Mr Yee said: “I have never left. I stepped up when called upon.” He was part of the WP team that contested in Marine Parade GRC in the last general election and lost, with 42.26 per cent of the vote. While the four-time candidate was not entrenched in the WP’s outreach efforts there following its 2020 defeat, he said he “remained a soldier with fire still burning”.

A record eleven rallies will be held on Thursday (May 1), the last day of campaigning. The parties involved are the People's Action Party (PAP), Workers' Party (WP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Progress Singapore Party (PSP), Red Dot United (RDU), People's Power Party (PPP) and independent candidate Jeremy Tan.  PAP will stage five evening rallies: one for Potong Pasir SMC at St. Andrew's Junior College, Serangoon Stadium for Aljunied GRC, Yusof Ishak Secondary School for Punggol GRC, North Vista Secondary School for Sengkang GRC and another at Temasek Junior College for Tampines GRC.  WP's rally will be held at Anderson Serangoon Junior College for Hougang SMC, while SDP's rally will take place at Evergreen Primary School for Sembawang West SMC.

Chee Hong Tat hopes to follow in Dr Ng Eng Hen's footsteps in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, where he wants to serve residents until he retires. The Minister for Transport and incumbent MP for the GRC was speaking at the People's Action Party's (PAP) rally for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC on Wednesday (April 30). Chee began his speech at Bishan Stadium by thanking Dr Ng, who served as MP in the Toa Payoh Central division from 2001 to 2025.  Dr Ng had also recently announced his retirement from politics. «I am very grateful to Dr Ng for his mentorship since I joined politics 10 years ago in 2015,» Chee said, adding that he was honoured to take over as the anchor minister for the GRC. Chee added that like Dr Ng, he hopes to campaign with the future PAP team, attend their rally and give a speech in support of them. Chee said the GRC saw improved accessibility and transport connectivity along with estate upgrades over the past five years. 

Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan has upped the ante following Health Minister Ong Ye Kung's criticism of the party's policies, suggesting it is the People's Action Party's (PAP) «favourite playbook». «Four words —criticise first, copy later,» said Dr Chee at a rally in Sembawang on Wednesday (April 30). «During elections, the PAP will slam the opposition for its alternative proposals, for our ideas. »But after elections, it will adopt our ideas, but it won't give any credit.« Dr Chee, who is standing in the new Sembawang West SMC, cited several examples to prove his point. The first was SDP's proposal on an unemployment insurance scheme which provide retrenched workers with financial assistance and support for re-employment. »But in the 2016 Bukit Batok by-election, Mr Tharman, who was Deputy Prime Minister, accused the SDP of pushing for populist policies whose idea would be costly,« said Dr Chee. »Eight years later, Mr Lawrence Wong announced the PAP would implement such a scheme and called it SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme. Same thing, different name, that's all."

Progress Singapore Party (PSP) founder Tan Cheng Bock has called for calm after a boisterous cheering contest broke out between PSP and People's Action Party (PAP) supporters who crossed paths during a walkabout at Block 964 Jurong West Street 91 on Wednesday (April 30) morning. Supporters from both parties were heard chanting while pumping their fists in the air, trying to outdo each other as they rallied behind their respective candidates at a hawker centre. The PSP team, led by party chief Leong Mun Wai, began chanting «PSP» as the rival PAP team, headed by incumbent PAP MP Ang Wei Neng, passed by. In response, some PAP team members enthusiastically chanted their own party's name. Urging restraint after the encounter, Dr Tan said: «I think we should avoid all that. Honestly, we have gone beyond that. We should up ourselves [and] not be so rowdy.»

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong hopes to draw on his two decades of experience in politics to improve the lives of Punggol residents — for as long as he can. The 66-year-old, who is contesting in his sixth general election, said while the decision on whether he stays beyond one term — if elected — lies with the Prime Minister, he wants to continue «building» Punggol in any capacity. «Even if I am asked to step down, I will continue working with residents, serving the community in whichever way I can,» Gan told AsiaOne on Tuesday (April 29) after a walkabout at One Punggol.  And if it were up to him? The People's Action Party (PAP) veteran said he would “continue for as long as [he] can.” Gan previously served as MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC for 14 years, holding key portfolios such as Manpower and Health, and now Minister for Trade and Industry. «This is not a job, a vocation. It's a sense of mission… to serve people. That will continue to drive me on.»

Workers' Party (WP) candidate for Jalan Kayu SMC, Andre Low, has apologised for «completely inappropriate» and «disparaging comments» made in Telegram messages that were leaked on social media. Low made a Facebook post on Wednesday (April 30) morning, four days after screenshots of his text messages were shared on Reddit. Over 30 screenshots were shared in the same Reddit post, where Low complained about TraceTogether, Singtel and local brands like Prism, among other issues. He also purportedly made negative remarks about the civil service and a resident he encountered during a Meet-The-People Session.  The messages described how he was only able to reach a resident after disabling his caller ID blocking feature.

A student from Bartley Secondary School was arrested for cutting a teacher with a penknife on Monday (April 28).  Speaking to The Straits Times, the school's principal Britta Seet said that the teacher was taken to the hospital and received outpatient treatment.  He was given medical leave and is recovering at home.  Seet said the student is assisting with police investigations and has not returned to school.  The school is in touch with the student and the student's parents, and providing support to the student and affected staff, she added.  The Singapore Civil Defence Force told AsiaOne that it received a call for assistance at 10 Jalan Bunga Rampai — Bartley Secondary School's address — at 12.25pm on April 28. One person was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment.  In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police confirmed that a report was lodged and a student was arrested in relation to the case. Police investigations are ongoing.  AsiaOne has contacted the school for more details.  melissateo@asiaone.com

There will be seven General Election 2025 rallies on April 30, the penultimate day of campaigning. They include a bumper crop of People's Action Party (PAP) rallies, but none from the main opposition party Workers' Party.   Tune in to AsiaOne to follow PAP's Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Hougang SMC rallies live. Police advisory Police said in a release that attendees are encouraged to take public transport as large crowds are expected at the rallies. They should also prepare for traffic diversions, lane closures and slower traffic. The pick-up and drop-off points for ride-hailing services may be affected as a result. Carparks in the vicinity of the election meeting sites are restricted to season-parking holders only. Vehicles found illegally parked or causing obstruction may be towed away.

At the People's Action Party (PAP) rally held on Tuesday (April 29) at Yishun Stadium for Nee Soon GRC, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam addressed concerns about jobs and the rising cost of living in Singapore. Shanmugam, who is leading the five-member PAP team to contest the GRC, spoke about how American tariffs are impacting Singapore's investments, jobs, and businesses.  «Investments will slow down, that means new job creation is going to be affected. Businesses are going to be affected,» he said, adding that despite US President Trump’s claim of a three-month suspension of the tariffs, the situation remains unpredictable. He assured residents, however, that the government has plans in place to navigate these challenges. «We are not a country that waits for trouble, we prepare beforehand. PM has formed an Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by DPM Gan Kim Yong,» Shanmugam said. He praised DPM Gan for his quiet yet effective approach in managing challenging situations.

Workers' Party (WP) secretary-general Pritam Singh has hit back at Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his speech at the East Coast GRC rally on Tuesday (April 29), accusing the People's Action Party of «negative politics» themselves. PM Wong, who is PAP's secretary-general, had said during a walkabout at One Punggol Hawker Centre earlier that day that he was «rather taken aback» by the WP's «negative tone», particularly in their criticisms of Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and PAP's Punggol team at a recent rally.  «I would say to Punggol residents, let's reject this kind of negative politics,» PM Wong had urged. Delivering the final speech of the rally that evening in Bedok Stadium, Singh recalled how a «previous Prime Minister» had said that he would have to spend time «fixing the opposition» should they gain seats. «This is the PAP DNA,» he said. «I wonder what Prime Minister Lawrence Wong would say about this. Is this negative politics?»

The People's Action Party (PAP) wants to «keep» the opposition confined to the Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) scheme, as only elected opposition members «can pressure and push the government», said Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh today (April 29).  Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah had said at a lunchtime rally on Monday (April 28) that there will be at least 12 opposition members in Parliament under the NCMP scheme, and that alternative voices are «guaranteed». Asked for his thoughts on Indranee's rally speech, Singh told reporters on Tuesday that for opposition members to speak up faithfully and be connected to the ground, they have to be voted into Parliament. «NCMPs have no voters, have no residents that they can solicit feedback from. They don't have an office under a block in the constituency where they have worked at and essentially this is where the PAP wants to keep the opposition. »They don't want elected opposition MPs, and I know why — because only an elected opposition MP can pressure and push the government."