2011 Singaporean general election

Elections to the 12th Parliament of Singapore

2011 Singaporean general election

* * *

| <- 2006 | 7 May 2011 (2011-05-07) | 2015 ->

|
|

<- outgoing members

elected members ->

* * *

All 87 directly elected seats in Parliament (and up to 9 NCMPs)
Registered| 2,350,873[a]
Turnout| 93.18% ( 0.82pp)
|  | First party  | Second party  | Third party

|
|
|

|  |  |
Leader  | Lee Hsien Loong | Low Thia Khiang | Chiam See Tong
Party  | PAP | WP | SPP
Last election  | 66.60%, 82 seats | 16.50%, 2 seats  | 12.96%, 1 seat
Seats won  | 81 | 8  | 1
Seat change  |  1  |  6  |
Popular vote  | 1,212,154 | 258,510  | 62,639
Percentage  | 60.14% | 12.83%  | 3.11%
Swing  |  6.46pp  |  3.67pp  |  9.85pp

* * *

Results by constituency

* * *

| Prime Minister before election

Lee Hsien Loong
PAP

| Prime Minister after election

Lee Hsien Loong
PAP

|

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General elections were held in Singapore on 7 May 2011. President S. R. Nathan dissolved parliament on 19 April 2011 on the advice of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.[1] Voting is mandatory in Singapore and is based on the first-past-the-post system. Elections are conducted by the Elections Department, which is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Office. Nomination day was held on 27 April 2011, and for the second election in a row, the PAP did not return to government on nomination day, but it did return to government on polling day.[2] This election also marked the first and the only three-cornered fight since 2001 in Punggol East SMC.

The elections were described as a "watershed" by various parties. The ruling PAP reminded voters that the election will determine "Singapore's next generation of leaders".[3] The Workers' Party called it a "watershed election" both for Singapore and the opposition, as it marked the first time in two decades that the only two incumbent opposition MPs moved out of their respective strongholds and contested in Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), risking a situation where there would be "no elected opposition MPs".[4] This was despite the elections having the highest proportion of contested seats since independence, with 82 of 87 seats contested.[5] 2011 was the year that saw the highest proportion of seats contested since post-independence; with the second being in 1972 when 57 of 65 seats were contested,[6] It marked the first electoral contests in Bishan–Toa Payoh (since 1991) and Holland–Bukit Timah, and also marked Tanjong Pagar as the only constituency to remain uncontested since its formation in 1991. This was the last general election to date where there were walkovers in at least one constituency as subsequent elections would see all constituencies being contested for the first time in post-independence since 1963.

The final results saw a 6 percentage point swing against the PAP from the 2006 elections to 60%, its lowest since independence.[7] The results saw the ruling PAP winning 81 elected seats with the Worker's Party (WP) winning the remaining 6. The WP successfully retained their ward of Hougang SMC and captured Aljunied GRC. This marked the first time a GRC was won by an opposition party since the introduction of GRCs.[8][9] As six Members of Parliament from the opposition were elected, only three Non-Constituency Member of Parliament seats were offered, one to Lina Chiam from the Singapore People's Party and the other two seats to Yee Jenn Jong and Gerald Giam from the Worker's Party. These offers were all accepted, resulting in a total of nine opposition MPs after the election.[10][11]

This election marked several firsts: the total electorate exceeded 2 million, and with 94% of the seats contested, this was the "most active" election in Singapore's history between 1968 and 2011. As the presidential election occurred three months after the election, 2011 also marked its first year in Singapore since the amendment of the constitution of elected presidency in 1991 where both national elections were held in the same calendar year.

## Background

[edit]

The 2011 general elections were the sixteenth general elections in Singapore and eleventh since independence. The governing People's Action Party (PAP) sought to secure their 13th consecutive term in office since 1959. This was the second election since Lee Hsien Loong became its Secretary-General.

### Parliamentary reform

[edit]

On 11 March 2010 the Government tabled three bills in the parliament to amend the Constitution, the Presidential Elections Act and the Parliamentary Elections Act.[12] These amendments reduced the number of Group representation constituencies (GRC), increased the number of Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) to a maximum of nine (inclusive of the number of elected opposition members of Parliament), and the number of Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) permanent also to nine.[12] A one-day "cooling-off" day was implemented, during which campaigning was forbidden, with only party political broadcasts allowed. Internet campaigning was also formally legalised as a legitimate means of political campaigning.[12] On 26 April 2010, the amendments to the Constitution were passed by a vote of 74–1 after a three-hour debate on the bill.[13]

### Political parties

[edit]

Main article: List of political parties in Singapore

The governing People's Action Party (PAP) has been in power since Singapore's independence in 1965, and is currently led by the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Besides the ruling PAP, the other major political parties that may contest the upcoming elections are the Workers' Party of Singapore (WP) led by Low Thia Khiang, the Singapore People's Party led by Chiam See Tong which left the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) in 2011, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) led by Chee Soon Juan,[b][14] the National Solidarity Party (NSP) led by Goh Meng Seng which left the SDA in 2007, the Reform Party (Singapore) led by Kenneth Jeyaretnam, and the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) led by Desmond Lim, which is composed of the Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura (Singapore Malay National Organization) (PKMS) and the Singapore Justice Party (SJP). The Reform Party is the newest party and was created on 18 June 2008 and was then led by former Member of Parliament J.B. Jeyaretnam. He could have stood for election after he was discharged from bankruptcy and reinstated to the bar,[15] however, Jeyaretnam died of heart failure on 30 September 2008 at the age of 82.[16] His eldest son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam has since taken up leadership of the party and is now its secretary-general.[17]

### Electoral divisions

[edit]

Main article: List of Singaporean electoral divisions (2011–15)

The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee normally publishes an updated list of electoral divisions just before elections are called. Prior to the latest amendments, there were fourteen GRCs, each with five or six seats, and nine Single Member Constituencies (SMC). There were a total of 84 seats being contested in the general election of 2006.

The new electoral map for 2011 was announced on 24 February 2011.[18][19]

Singapore electoral boundaries, released in February 2011 | 2006  | 2011

|
|

Seats |

Electoral divisions |

Group

Representation constituencies

| Total GRCs |

Four-Member GRCs | 0 | 2
Five-Member GRCs | 9 | 11
Six-Member GRCs | 5 | 2
Single member constituencies  | 9  | 12
Voters |

2,158,704

2,347,198

Voters (overseas votes inclusive) |

2,159,721

2,350,873

The changes made in the electoral divisions are as follows:

Constituency  | Changes

|

Aljunied GRC | Absorbed portions of Kaki Bukit division from Marine Parade GRC, and a minor portion of Hougang SMC
Carved out portions of Aljunied–Hougang division to Ang Mo Kio GRC, and a minor portion of Aljunied–Hougang and Bedok Reservoir-Punggol divisions to Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC
Ang Mo Kio GRC | Absorbed Aljunied–Hougang division (renamed to Ang Mo Kio-Hougang) from Aljunied GRC and Yio Chu Kang SMC
Carved out Nee Soon South division into Nee Soon GRC, and Sengkang West division into SMC
Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC | No change in boundaries
Chua Chu Kang GRC | New Constituency
Formed from a majority of Hong Kah GRC (except for Hong Kah North division, which carved into SMC), and Chua Chu Kang SMC
East Coast GRC | Carved a portion of Kampong-Chai Chee to Marine Parade GRC
Holland–Bukit Timah GRC | Ward downsized to four members
Carved out Buona Vista division into Tanjong Pagar GRC, a minor portion of Bukit Timah to West Coast GRC, and portions of Toh Guan to Jurong GRC
Jurong GRC | Carved out Yuhua division into SMC
Portions of Jurong Central and Taman Jurong divisions, West Coast GRC and Hong Kah GRC were formed into Jurong Spring division
Marine Parade GRC | Ward downsized to five members
Absorbed MacPherson SMC and a minor portion of Joo Chiat SMC
Portions of Kaki Bukit and the entire Kampong Ubi-Kembangan divisions, and Kampong Chai Chee division from East Coast GRC were formed into Kembangan-Chai Chee division
Carved out a portion of Kaki Bukit division to Aljunied GRC, and Mountbatten division into SMC
Moulmein–Kallang GRC | New Constituency
Formed from Jalan Besar GRC (except for Kreta Ayer–Kim Seng division (excluding northern Hong Lim portions) which was absorbed into Tanjong Pagar GRC, and Whampoa division as a SMC), and Moulmein division from Tanjong Pagar GRC
Nee Soon GRC | New Constituency
Formed from Nee Soon Central SMC, Nee Soon East SMC, Nee Soon South divisions from Ang Mo Kio GRC (excluding the Lentor area south of Seletar Expressway), and Canberra and Chong Pang divisions from Sembawang GRC[20]
Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC | Carved out Punggol East division into SMC, and a minor portion of Punggol South division to Ang Mo Kio GRC
Portions of Punggol Central and North divisions were formed into Punggol West division
Sembawang GRC | Ward downsized to five members
Carved out Canberra and Chong Pang to Nee Soon GRC
Portions of Sembawang and Woodlands were formed into Woodgrove division.
Tampines GRC | No change in boundaries
Tanjong Pagar GRC | Ward downsized to five members
Absorbed Buona Vista and Kreta Ayer–Kim Seng divisions from Holland–Bukit Timah GRC and Jalan Besar GRC, respectively
Carved out Moulmein division into Moulmein–Kallang GRC, and Radin Mas division into SMC
Merged Tanjong Pagar and Tiong Bahru divisions to form Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru division
West Coast GRC | Carved out portions of Pioneer division into SMC, while Jurong Industrial, Jurong Island, Gul Circle, Tuas and Joo Koon were transferred to Ayer Rajah division
Ayer Rajah-West Coast division were split into Ayer Rajah and West Coast divisions.

## Nomination

[edit]

Main article: Pre-election day events of the 2011 Singaporean general election

### Timeline

[edit]

Date  | Event

|

24 February | Publication of Electoral Boundaries report
3 March | Certification of Registers of Electors
19 April | Dissolution of 11th Parliament; Writ of Election issued
22 April | Deadline of Submission of Political Donation Certificates
27 April | Nomination Day/First Live Political Party Broadcast
27 April-5 May | Campaigning Period
6 May | Cooling-off Day/Second Live Political Party Broadcast
7 May | Polling Day
11 May | Overseas Votes Counting
16 May | Candidates revealed for Non-Constituency Member of Parliament
21 May | 12th Parliament assembled
10 October | Opening of 12th Parliament

### New candidates

[edit]

Main article: Pre-election day events of the 2011 Singaporean general election § New candidates

A total of 78 candidates were brand-new to this election. Notable candidates out of the 24 introduced from the People's Action Party that were part of the "fourth-generation" (4G) cabinet which include the eventual fourth Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong, a future Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Heng Swee Keat, an ex-SAF Chief and ministers Chan Chun Sing, Tan Chuan-Jin, as well as Desmond Lee and Ong Ye Kung, the sons of former MPs Lee Yock Suan and Ong Lian Ten respectively.

There were 54 debuting candidates from six opposition party, which include Pritam Singh who made another inroad into Parliament and went on to become the Workers' Party succeeding leader in 2018, as well as Lina Loh (wife of then-Potong Pasir SMC MP Chiam See Tong), Kenneth Andrew Jeyaretnam (son of the late J. B. Jeyaretnam), Nicole Seah, Tan Jee Say, Hazel Poa (who also joined by her spouse Tony Tan Lay Thiam) and Benjamin Pwee Yek Guan.

### Retiring politicians

[edit]

Main article: Pre-election day events of the 2011 Singaporean general election § Outgoing candidates

20 existing PAP members from the 11th Parliament will not see re-election, among which 18 announced their retirement, ten of which being office holders,[21] and two members, Balaji Sadasivan (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Ong Chit Chung (Jurong GRC), died during their term in office but neither by-elections were called since their wards were part of a Group Representation Constituency; the latter however would later become a Bukit Batok Single Member Constituency on the next election in 2015. Eric Low, another PAP candidate that first entered politics in the 2001 election but lost twice to WP, did not seek re-election, making him the second PAP candidate to participate but did not enter parliament (the first being Pang Kim Hin).

### Staking claims

[edit]

Soon after the announcement of the new electoral boundaries, various opposition parties indicated their intent to contest, subject to negotiations between political parties to avoid three-cornered fights. The parties declaring an interest to contest each constituency and their nomination status is reflected below.

Nominations by various opposition parties as on nomination day on 27 April 2011. Banded shading indicates constituencies with three-party contests. There was no contest in Tanjong Pagar after the opposition team intending to submit a nomination were disqualified.

## General election campaign

[edit]

### Televised forum

[edit]

In the first pre-election forum of this nature in Singapore since the 1988 General Election, Channel NewsAsia invited the main parties to record an hour-long programme. The programme, in English entitled, “A political forum on Singapore's future” brought together the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and four opposition parties to discuss long and short-term challenges for the country. [22] The forum included:

* Singapore Democratic Party, represented by its Assistant Treasurer Dr Vincent Wijeysingha;
* Singapore People's Party, represented by 2nd Vice Chairwoman Lina Chiam;
* Workers' Party of Singapore, represented by Assistant Webmaster Gerald Giam;
* Singapore Democratic Alliance, represented by Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Nazem Suki;
* People's Action Party, represented by:
* Finance Minister and Jurong GRC MP Tharman Shanmugaratnam
* Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC MP Josephine Teo

### Social media

[edit]

The Worker's Party utilised social media to circumvent obstacles placed in front of them by Singapore's government-controlled media.[23]

### Political rallies

[edit]

The Singapore Police Force announced 41 political rally sites on 27 April which could be booked by political parties on a first-come-first-served basis. Rallies were allowed to be conducted from 28 April to 5 May, from 7am to 10pm. The 41st site is for lunch time rallies at Boat Quay near to the UOB Plaza.[24]

National Solidarity Party

| Date | Location | Constituency

|
|

28 April | Open field at Geylang East Central | Marine Parade GRC
29 April | Delta Hockey Pitch | Radin Mas SMC
30 April | Open field near Jalan Tenteram | Whampoa SMC
1 May | Jurong West Stadium | Pioneer SMC
2 May | Open field near Mountbatten Community Centre | Mountbatten SMC
3 May | Choa Chu Kang Stadium | Choa Chu Kang GRC
4 May | Tampines Stadium | Tampines GRC
5 May | Open field near Chinese Garden | Jurong GRC

People's Action Party

Date | Location | Constituency

|
|

28 April | Open field near Buangkok MRT station | Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC
29 April | Yio Chu Kang Stadium | Ang Mo Kio GRC
29 April | Open field near Kallang Avenue | Moulmein–Kallang GRC
29 April | Jurong West Stadium | Pioneer SMC
30 April | Serangoon Stadium | Aljunied GRC
30 April | Open field at Geylang East Central | Marine Parade GRC
30 April | Choa Chu Kang Stadium | Choa Chu Kang GRC
30 April | Open field near Hougang MRT station | Hougang SMC
1 May | Bedok Stadium | East Coast GRC
2 May | Open field near Segar Road | Bukit Panjang SMC
2 May | Jurong East Stadium | Yuhua SMC
2 May | Open field near Jurong West Avenue 3 | Hong Kah North SMC
3 May | Boat Quay next to UOB Plaza (lunch time) | Ang Mo Kio GRC
3 May | Woodlands Stadium | Sembawang GRC
4 May | Open field near Mountbatten Community Centre | Mountbatten SMC
4 May | Open field in Sengkang East | Punggol East SMC
4 May | Yishun Stadium | Nee Soon GRC
4 May | Open field near Clementi Avenue 4 | Holland–Bukit Timah GRC
4 May | Delta Hockey Pitch | Radin Mas SMC
5 May | Open field near Ubi Road 3 | Aljunied GRC
5 May | Toa Payoh Stadium | Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC
5 May | Tampines Stadium | Tampines GRC
5 May | Open field near Potong Pasir Avenue 1 | Potong Pasir SMC
5 May | Open field near Jalan Tenteram | Whampoa SMC
5 May | Open field near Segar Road | Bukit Panjang SMC
5 May | Bedok Stadium | East Coast GRC
5 May | Open field near Pasir Ris Park | Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC

Reform Party

| Date | Location | Constituency

|
|

28 April | Clementi Stadium | West Coast GRC
30 April | Clementi Stadium | West Coast GRC
1 May | Yio Chu Kang Stadium | Ang Mo Kio GRC
2 May | Open field near West Coast Park | West Coast GRC
4 May | Clementi Stadium | West Coast GRC
5 May | Clementi Stadium | West Coast GRC
5 May | Yio Chu Kang Stadium (subsequently cancelled)[25] | Ang Mo Kio GRC

Singapore Democratic Alliance

Date | Location | Constituency

|
|

29 April | Open field in Sengkang East | Punggol East SMC
1 May | Open field near Pasir Ris Park | Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC
4 May | Open field near Buangkok MRT station | Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC

Singapore Democratic Party

Date | Location | Constituency

|
|

28 April | Open field near Commonwealth Avenue | Holland–Bukit Timah GRC
29 April | Jurong East Stadium | Yuhua SMC
30 April | Woodlands Stadium | Sembawang GRC
1 May | Open field near Clementi Avenue 4 | Holland–Bukit Timah GRC
2 May | Open field near Commonwealth Avenue | Holland–Bukit Timah GRC
3 May | Open field near Segar Road | Bukit Panjang SMC
4 May | Woodlands Stadium | Sembawang GRC
5 May | Boat Quay next to UOB Plaza (lunch time) | Holland–Bukit Timah GRC
5 May | Woodlands Stadium | Sembawang GRC

Singapore People's Party

Date | Location | Constituency

|
|

29 April | Open field near Jurong West Avenue 3 | Hong Kah North SMC
30 April | Open field near Potong Pasir Avenue 1 | Potong Pasir SMC
2 May | Bishan Stadium | Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC
4 May | Open field near Potong Pasir Avenue 1 | Potong Pasir SMC
5 May | Bishan Stadium | Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC

Workers’ Party

Date | Location | Constituency

|
|

28 April | Open field near Hougang MRT station | Hougang SMC
29 April | Serangoon Stadium | Aljunied GRC
30 April | Bedok Stadium | East Coast GRC
1 May | Yishun Stadium | Nee Soon GRC
2 May | Open field near Kallang Avenue | Moulmein–Kallang GRC
3 May | Open field in Sengkang East | Punggol East SMC
4 May | Open field near Ubi Road 3 | Aljunied GRC
5 May | Serangoon Stadium | Aljunied GRC
The National Solidarity Party's rally on 4 May at the Tampines Stadium Merchandise sold during the political rally by the Singapore Democratic Party in Bukit Panjang on 3 May

## Controversies

[edit]

### Online video

[edit]

During the 2011 elections campaigning, Vivian Balakrishnan said the SDP was "suppressing a certain YouTube video, which raises some very awkward questions about the agenda and motivations of the SDP and its candidates".[26] He issued the following statement:

I am not sure what [the SDP] strategy is...I can't help feeling that part of the reason for their reticence is they have elements of their agenda they are not prepared to disclose and subject to scrutiny. Eventually, they will have to come out of the closet. (The Straits Times, 20 April 2011)

Vincent Wijeysingha rejected his comments stating, "We've been a very open party and we're very clear."[27]

This incident was cited in an article published in The Economist criticising the ruling party's election strategy[28] The New Paper released a story next day, with the headline: Is Singapore ready for a GAY MP?"[29] Kenneth Jeyaretnam of the Reform Party called Balakrishnan's campaign a "low attack."[26]

Balakrishnan received widespread controversy and criticism online for his remark,.[30] On 28 April, he told the press: "there is "no need" to further discuss [the] video". He said that his question was a "legitimate".[31]

### Cooling-off day controversies

[edit]

Nicole Seah, a team member contesting Marine Parade GRC under the NSP team, filed a complaint to the Elections Department on 6 May stating PAP-team member Tin Pei Ling had violated the state-mandated cooling-off period 24 hours before polls by posting a Facebook comment "in response to a video [in the state press] that showed Seah crying after being told about a MacPherson female resident who could not get a refund of her son's $80 tuition fees".[32]

The NSP team was advised by the Elections Department to lodge a police report before the Elections Department could investigate.[33]

The day after the election, Seah told reporters that her party had not received any response after making the complaint, and said no decision had been taken on whether or not to pursue the issue. She added that the NSP knew "it is an uphill battle to get any results out of this. I would rather devote my time and resources to the residents".[34]

A similar complaint was lodged against Seah alleging that material had been published on her Facebook page during Cooling-Off Day. On 10 August, the Singapore Police Force announced that it had concluded its investigations into the two incidents, and that aside from a "stern warning" to Tin's friend, neither action was taken against either Tin or Seah.[35]

Separately, the NSP also complained that the PAP had been distributing election material to residents in Tampines GRC in violation of cooling-off regulations.[33]

## Results

[edit]

After polls closed at 8pm, vote counting began. Results were announced by Yam Ah Mee, chief executive director of the People's Association, who acted as the Returning Officer for the election.[36] The first result was declared at 11.58pm on 7 May 2011, where PAP candidate Lim Biow Chuan won the Mountbatten SMC with a majority of 3,529.

At 1.31 am on 8 May 2011, the PAP team for Ang Mo Kio GRC was declared to have won the division, putting the PAP's seat tally at 44 seats, and thus formed the government. The final result to be declared was for the Potong Pasir SMC at 2.51am on 8 May, where the PAP gained the seat from the SPP on a razor-thin margin of 114 votes.

While People's Action Party retain government control for the 13th consecutive election, PAP saw its vote majorities reduced by about 7% island-wide for a second election in a row, down to its lowest national vote share to 60.17%, surpassing 1991's share of 61.0%.

PAP won all but two constituencies with 81 out of 87 seats; the WP won the remaining six after successfully retain Hougang SMC and for the first time since GRCs were introduced in 1988, WP also won Aljunied GRC, the first instance where any opposition party won a GRC.[37] Its victory also lead to the defeat of cabinet minister George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua, who became the first and second cabinet ministers to lose re-election since independence,[38][39] with the last time being 1963 (minister Kenneth Michael Byrne lost his seat of Crawford).[40]

The election also saw several records, with the elections of first female opposition MP Sylvia Lim and first Malay opposition MP Faisal Manap into Parliament. At 27 years of age, Marine Parade GRC MP Tin Pei Ling set a record of becoming the youngest MP-elect, which was previously held by 29-year old Ho Kah Leong back in 1966.[41] Her record would later be surpassed by 26-year old MP-elect Raeesah Khan in the 2020 elections.[42]

Excluding electorates from Tanjong Pagar GRC, voter turnout for the election was 93.18%, with 2,060,373 votes cast.[43]

Popular vote

PAP (60.14%)

WP (12.83%)

NSP (12.04%)

SDP (4.83%)

RP (4.28%)

SPP (3.11%)

SDA (2.78%)

Seats

81 seats (PAP) (93.10%)

6 seats (WP) (6.89%)

Party| Votes| %| Seats| +/–
| People's Action Party| 1,212,154| 60.14| 81| –1
| Workers' Party| 258,510| 12.83| 6| +5
| National Solidarity Party| 242,682| 12.04| 0| New
| Singapore Democratic Party| 97,369| 4.83| 0| 0
| Reform Party| 86,294| 4.28| 0| New
| Singapore People's Party| 62,639| 3.11| 0| New
| Singapore Democratic Alliance| 55,988| 2.78| 0| –1
Total| 2,015,636| 100.00| 87| +3
Valid votes| 2,015,636| 97.83|
Invalid/blank votes| 44,737| 2.17|
Total votes| 2,060,373| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 2,350,873| 93.18|
Source: Singapore Elections[usurped][a]

### By constituency

[edit]

Results of 2011 Singapore general election[44]

Division | Seats | Voters | Party | Candidate(s) | Votes | Votes % | Swing | Margins
Aljunied GRC | 5  | 143,148  | Workers' Party | Low Thia Khiang
Sylvia Lim
Chen Show Mao
Pritam Singh
Faisal Manap | 72,289 |

54.72 / 100

| 10.81  | 9.44%
People's Action Party | George Yeo
Lim Hwee Hua
Zainul Abidin
Cynthia Phua
Ong Ye Kung | 59,829 |

45.28 / 100

| 10.81
Ang Mo Kio GRC | 6  | 179,071  | People's Action Party | Lee Hsien Loong
Yeo Guat Kwang
Inderjit Singh
Seng Han Thong
Ang Hin Kee
Intan Azura Mokhtar | 112,677 |

69.33 / 100

| 3.19  | 38.66%
Reform Party | Alex Tan
Arthero Lim
Vignes Ramachandran
Lim Zi Rui
Mansor Rahman
Osman Sulaiman | 49,851 |

30.67 / 100

| 3.19
Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC | 5  | 122,492  | People's Action Party | Wong Kan Seng
Ng Eng Hen
Josephine Teo
Hri Kumar
Zainudin Nordin | 62,385 |

56.93 / 100

| N/A  | 13.86%
Singapore People's Party | Chiam See Tong
Benjamin Pwee
Wilfred Leung
Jimmy Lee
Mohamad Hamim Aliyas | 47,205 |

43.07 / 100

| N/A
Chua Chu Kang GRC | 5  | 158,648  | People's Action Party | Gan Kim Yong
Alvin Yeo
Zaqy Mohamad
Alex Yam
Low Yen Ling | 89,710 |

61.20 / 100

| 0.83  | 22.40%
National Solidarity Party | Sebastian Teo
Tony Tan
Hazel Poa
Nor Lella Mardiiiah Mohamed
Jeisilan Sivalingam | 56,885 |

38.80 / 100

| N/A
East Coast GRC | 5  | 120,324  | People's Action Party | Lim Swee Say
Maliki Osman
Lee Yi Shyan
Jessica Tan
Raymond Lim | 59,992 |

54.83 / 100

| 9.03  | 9.66%
Workers' Party | Eric Tan
Png Eng Huat
Glenda Han
Gerald Giam
Mohamed Fazli Bin Talip | 49,429 |

45.17 / 100

| 9.03
Holland–Bukit Timah GRC | 4  | 91,607  | People's Action Party | Vivian Balakrishnan
Christopher de Souza
Liang Eng Hwa
Sim Ann | 48,773 |

60.08 / 100

| N/A  | 20.16%
Singapore Democratic Party | Tan Jee Say
Ang Yong Guan
Vincent Wijeysingha
Michelle Lee | 32,406 |

39.92 / 100

| N/A
Jurong GRC | 5  | 125,276  | People's Action Party | Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Halimah Yacob
Ang Wei Neng
Desmond Lee
David Ong | 76,595 |

66.96 / 100

| N/A  | 33.92%
National Solidarity Party | Christopher Neo
Abdul Rasheed
Elvin Ong
Ong Hock Siong
Noraini Yunus | 37,786 |

33.04 / 100

| N/A
Marine Parade GRC | 5  | 154,451  | People's Action Party | Goh Chok Tong
Tan Chuan-Jin
Fatimah Lateef
Seah Kian Peng
Tin Pei Ling | 78,286 |

56.64 / 100

| N/A  | 13.28%
National Solidarity Party | Cheo Chai Chen
Ivan Yeo
Abdul Salim Harun
Spencer Ng
Nicole Seah | 59,926 |

43.36 / 100

| N/A
Moulmein–Kallang GRC | 4  | 87,595  | People's Action Party | Lui Tuck Yew
Yaacob Ibrahim
Denise Phua
Edwin Tong | 44,886 |

58.55 / 100

| N/A  | 17.10%
Workers' Party | Mohd Rahizan
Toh Hong Boon
L Somasundram
Frieda Chan | 31,773 |

41.45 / 100

| N/A
Nee Soon GRC | 5  | 148,290  | People's Action Party | K. Shanmugam
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim
Lee Bee Wah
Lim Wee Kiak
Patrick Tay | 80,740 |

58.40 / 100

| N/A  | 16.80%
Workers' Party | John Yam
Angela Faye Oon
Sajeev K. R. Kamalasanan
Watson Chong
Poh Lee Guan | 57,523 |

41.60 / 100

| N/A
Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC | 6  | 168,971  | People's Action Party | Teo Chee Hean
Teo Ser Luck
Penny Low
Janil Puthucheary
Gan Thiam Poh
Zainal Sapari | 100,493 |

64.79 / 100

| 3.91  | 29.58%
Singapore Democratic Alliance | Harminder Pal Singh
Sidney Soon
Jeffrey Lim
Lee Song Juan
Tan Keng Hong
Mohammad Shafni Ahmad | 54,601 |

35.21 / 100

| 3.91
Sembawang GRC | 5  | 142,459  | People's Action Party | Khaw Boon Wan
Ellen Lee
Hawazi Daipi
Ong Teng Koon
Vikram Nair | 84,252 |

63.9 / 100

| 12.8  | 27.80%
Singapore Democratic Party | James Gomez
John Tan
Jarrod Luo
Mohd Isa Abdul Aziz
Sadasivam Veriyah | 47,605 |

36.1 / 100

| 12.8
Tampines GRC | 5  | 137,532  | People's Action Party | Mah Bow Tan
Ng Phek Hoong Irene
Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad
Baey Yam Keng
Heng Swee Keat | 72,728 |

57.22 / 100

| 11.29  | 14.44%
National Solidarity Party | Goh Meng Seng
Reno Fong
Syafarin Sarif
Raymond Lim
Gilbert Goh | 54,381 |

42.78 / 100

| N/A
Tanjong Pagar GRC | 5  | 139,771  | People's Action Party | Lee Kuan Yew
Lily Neo
Indranee Rajah
Chan Chun Sing
Chia Shi-Lu | Uncontested Walkover
West Coast GRC | 5  | 121,045  | People's Action Party | Lim Hng Kiang
Arthur Fong
S. Iswaran
Foo Mee Har
Lawrence Wong | 72,563 |

66.57 / 100

| N/A  | 33.14%
Reform Party | Kenneth Jeyaretnam
Frankie Low
Andy Zhu
Kumar Appavoo
Haren Hu | 36,443 |

33.43 / 100

| N/A
Bukit Panjang SMC | 1  | 33,053  | People's Action Party | Teo Ho Pin | 20,375 |

66.27 / 100

| 10.91  | 32.54%
Singapore Democratic Party | Alec Tok | 10,372 |

33.73 / 100

| 10.91
Hong Kah North SMC | 1  | 27,701  | People's Action Party | Amy Khor | 18,156 |

70.61 / 100

| N/A  | 41.22%
Singapore People's Party | Sin Kek Tong | 7,556 |

29.39 / 100

| N/A
Hougang SMC | 1  | 24,560  | Workers' Party | Yaw Shin Leong | 14,850 |

64.8 / 100

| 2.06  | 29.60%
People's Action Party | Desmond Choo | 8065 |

35.2 / 100

| 2.06
Joo Chiat SMC | 1  | 22,069  | People's Action Party | Charles Chong | 9,666 |

51.02 / 100

| 13.99  | 2.04%
Workers' Party | Yee Jenn Jong | 9,278 |

48.98 / 100

| 13.99
Mountbatten SMC | 1  | 23,731  | People's Action Party | Lim Biow Chuan | 11,985 |

58.62 / 100

| N/A  | 17.24%
National Solidarity Party | Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss | 8,461 |

41.38 / 100

| N/A
Pioneer SMC | 1  | 25,745  | People's Action Party | Cedric Foo | 14,593 |

60.73 / 100

| N/A  | 21.46%
National Solidarity Party | Steve Chia | 9,437 |

39.27 / 100

| N/A
Potong Pasir SMC | 1  | 17,327  | People's Action Party | Sitoh Yih Pin | 7,992 |

50.36 / 100

| 6.18  | 0.72%
Singapore People's Party | LinaChiam | 7,878 |

49.64 / 100

| 6.18
Punggol East SMC | 1  | 33,281  | People's Action Party | Michael Palmer | 16,994 |

54.54 / 100

| N/A  | 13.53%
Workers' Party | Lee Li Lian | 12,777 |

41.01 / 100

| N/A
Singapore Democratic Alliance (Loses S$16,000 deposit)  | Desmond Lim | 1,387 |

4.45 / 100

| N/A
Radin Mas SMC | 1  | 31,014  | People's Action Party | Sam Tan | 18,609 |

67.10 / 100

| N/A  | 34.20%
National Solidarity Party | Yip Yew Weng | 9,123 |

32.90 / 100

| N/A
Sengkang West SMC | 1  | 26,882  | People's Action Party | Lam Pin Min | 14,689 |

58.11 / 100

| N/A  | 16.22%
Workers' Party | Koh Choong Yong | 10,591 |

41.89 / 100

| N/A
Whampoa SMC | 1  | 21,622  | People's Action Party | Heng Chee How | 13,028 |

66.10 / 100

| N/A  | 32.20%
National Solidarity Party | Ken Sun | 6,680 |

33.90 / 100

| N/A
Yuhua SMC | 1  | 23,195  | People's Action Party | Grace Fu | 14,093 |

66.86 / 100

| N/A  | 33.72%
Singapore Democratic Party | Teo Soh Lung | 6,986 |

33.14 / 100

| N/A

### Analysis

[edit]

#### Top 10 best PAP performers

[edit]

* Constituencies with no comparison to 2006 were either due to them being new constituencies or the constituencies experiencing walkovers in the last election.

# | Constituency | People's Action Party | Opposition

|
|
|

Votes  | %  | Swing  |  | Votes  | %  | Swing
1 | Hong Kah North SMC | 18,156 | 70.61 | New | Singapore People's Party | 7,556 | 29.39 | New
2 | Ang Mo Kio GRC | 112,677 | 69.33 |  3.19 | Reform Party | 49,851 | 30.67 |  3.19
3 | Radin Mas SMC | 18,609 | 67.10 | New | National Solidarity Party | 9,123 | 32.90 | New
4 | Jurong GRC | 76,595 | 66.96 | Walkover | National Solidarity Party | 37,786 | 33.04 | Walkover
5 | Yuhua SMC | 14,093 | 66.86 | New | Singapore Democratic Party | 6,986 | 33.14 | New
6 | West Coast GRC | 72,563 | 66.57 | Walkover | Reform Party | 36,443 | 33.43 | Walkover
7 | Bukit Panjang SMC | 20,375 | 66.27 |  10.91 | Singapore Democratic Party | 10,372 | 33.73 |  10.91
8 | Whampoa SMC | 13,028 | 66.10 | New | National Solidarity Party | 6,683 | 33.90 | New
9 | Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC | 100,493 | 64.79 |  3.91 | Singapore Democratic Alliance | 54,601 | 35.21 |  3.91
10 | Sembawang GRC | 84,252 | 63.9 |  12.8 | Singapore Democratic Party | 47,605 | 36.1 |  12.8

#### Top 16 best opposition performers

[edit]

* Constituencies with no comparison to 2006 were either due to them being new constituencies or the constituencies experiencing walkovers in the last election.
* Punggol East SMC is excluded from the table as there were two opposition parties which competed against the incumbent. If the WP's 12,765 votes (41.02%) and the SDA's 1,386 votes (4.45%) were summed up, the opposition won 14,151 votes (45.47%), which would place it fifth in the table below.

Constituency | Opposition | People's Action Party

|
|

Votes  | %  | Swing  | Votes  | %  | Swing
1 | Hougang SMC | Workers' Party | 14,850 | 64.8 |  2.1 | 8,065 | 35.2 |  2.1
2 | Aljunied GRC | Workers' Party | 72,289 | 54.72 |  10.81 | 59,829 | 45.28 |  10.81
3 | Potong Pasir SMC | Singapore People's Party | 7,878 | 49.64 |  6.18 | 7,992 | 50.36 |  6.18
4 | Joo Chiat SMC | Workers' Party | 9,278 | 48.98 |  13.99 | 9,666 | 51.02 |  13.99
5 | East Coast GRC | Workers' Party | 49,429 | 45.17 |  9.03 | 59,992 | 54.83 |  9.03
6 | Marine Parade GRC | National Solidarity Party | 59,926 | 43.36 | Walkover | 78,286 | 56.64 | Walkover
7 | Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC | Singapore People's Party | 47,205 | 43.07 | Walkover | 62,385 | 56.93 | Walkover
8 | Tampines GRC | National Solidarity Party | 54,381 | 42.78 |  11.29 | 72,728 | 57.22 |  11.29
9 | Sengkang West SMC | Workers' Party | 10,591 | 41.89 | New | 14,689 | 58.11 | New
10 | Nee Soon GRC | Workers' Party | 57,523 | 41.60 | New | 80,740 | 58.40 | New
11 | Moulmein–Kallang GRC | Workers' Party | 31,773 | 41.45 | New | 44,886 | 58.55 | New
12 | Mountbatten SMC | National Solidarity Party | 8,461 | 41.38 | New | 11,985 | 58.62 | New
13 | Punggol East SMC | Workers' Party | 12,777 | 41.01 | New | 16,994 | 54.54 | New
Singapore Democratic Alliance | 1,387 | 4.45
14 | Holland–Bukit Timah GRC | Singapore Democratic Party | 32,406 | 39.92 | Walkover | 48,773 | 60.08 | Walkover
15 | Pioneer SMC | National Solidarity Party | 9,437 | 39.27 | New | 14,593 | 60.73 | New
16 | Chua Chu Kang GRC | National Solidarity Party | 56,885 | 38.80 | New | 89,710 | 61.20 | New

#### Vote Swings

[edit]

* Only the following constituencies may be compared with 2006 results as they existed in both elections, although most had changes in their electoral boundaries.

Constituency | People's Action Party | Opposition

|
|

Votes  | %  | Swing  | Votes  | %  | Swing
1 | Joo Chiat SMC | 9,278 | 48.98 |  13.99 | Workers' Party | 9,666 | 51.02 |  13.99
2 | Sembawang GRC | 84,252 | 63.9 |  12.8 | Singapore Democratic Party | 47,605 | 36.1 |  12.8
3 | Tampines GRC | 72,728 | 57.22 |  11.29 | National Solidarity Party | 54,381 | 42.78 |  11.29
4 | Bukit Panjang SMC | 20,375 | 66.27 |  10.91 | Singapore Democratic Party | 10,372 | 33.73 |  10.91
5 | Aljunied GRC | 59,829 | 45.28 |  10.81 | Workers' Party | 72,289 | 54.72 |  10.81
6 | East Coast GRC | 59,992 | 54.83 |  9.03 | Workers' Party | 49,429 | 45.17 |  9.03
7 | Potong Pasir SMC | 7,992 | 50.36 |  6.18 | Singapore People's Party | 7,878 | 49.64 |  6.18
8 | Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC | 100,493 | 64.79 |  3.91 | Singapore Democratic Alliance | 54,601 | 35.21 |  3.91
9 | Ang Mo Kio GRC | 112,677 | 69.33 |  3.19 | Reform Party | 49,851 | 30.67 |  3.19
10 | Hougang SMC | 8,065 | 35.2 |  2.1 | Workers' Party | 14,850 | 64.8 |  2.1

Interpretive maps

Vote share won by the ruling People's Action Party by constituency. There was no contest in Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency as there was a walkover.

## Post-election events

[edit]

### Ruling party's immediate reactions

[edit]

The People's Action Party's secretary-general, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, described the results as delivering his party a "clear mandate to form the next government".[45] In his post-election press conference, Lee said the polls had "heightened (voters') political consciousness and awareness", and admitted that "many of them desire to see more opposition voices in Parliament to check the PAP government".[46] He described the PAP's loss of Aljunied GRC, which resulted in George Yeo being voted out of Parliament and losing his position as foreign minister, as a "heavy loss to my Cabinet and my team of MPs", but said that the party would "accept and respect the voters' decision".[47] The country's Senior Minister, Goh Chok Tong, also admitted that "there is a sea change in the political landscape" after his team won Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency with just 56.6 percent of the vote.[48]

### Opposition parties' immediate reactions

[edit]

The Workers Party's secretary-general Low Thia Khiang said his team's win in Aljunied meant that voters had "accepted the WP as a rational, responsible and respected party".[49] In his victory speech, Low declared his win as a "political landmark in modern Singapore".[50][51] He added that it meant the electorate wanted to tell the PAP to be "a more responsive, inclusive, transparent and accountable government”.[7]

In a statement on its website, the Singapore Democratic Party thanked its supporters for their support, saying that it was for them that the party "(continues) to labour on in this undemocratic system with all the odds stacked against us."[52] Its assistant treasurer Vincent Wijeysingha, who stood in Holland–Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency, said that the party's positive vote swing in its contested wards of almost 13 percent from the last elections was an "indicator that things are beginning to move up for our party."[53] In a second statement on its website, the SDP described its results as "disappointing", but promised to "build on the foundation that we have laid" for the next elections.[54] The party's secretary-general Chee Soon Juan, barred from standing in the election, went on to write an opinion piece for the Guardian, in which he said it "would have been a miracle" had the SDP won any seats, and accused the media in Singapore of suppressing news of the SDP's campaigning.[55]

Other than the PAP and WP, the only other opposition seat pre-election had been held by the Singapore People's Party, which lost it in the polls by just 114 votes. Chiam See Tong, the SPP's secretary-general, said his party would fight to win back Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency, and said that despite being defeated in Bishan–Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency, he would continue in politics, health permitting.[56] He also questioned the margin of votes in Potong Pasir, contested by his wife, saying there was "funny business" happening. A petition calling for a by-election in the constituency was started by SPP supporters and Potong Pasir residents.[57]

The National Solidarity Party, which contested the most seats of all opposition parties, admitted it may have taken on too much, with its leader Goh Meng Seng telling reporters that he would be "personally responsible" for the party's failure to win a single seat.[53] Its star candidate, Nicole Seah, said Singaporeans now had to unite as a country.[58] Seah, who contested in Marine Parade, also said there was "so much that needs to be done", and that she would continue her work in the area despite her team's defeat.[59]

The leader of the newest opposition party contesting the elections, the Reform Party's Kenneth Jeyaretnam, described his party as having "learnt a lot" and said they had "done very well", as the first new party in over 20 years. He added that the party was "very happy" at its result in West Coast Group Representation Constituency,[53] and that its second team had done "creditably" in Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency. Jeyaretnam also said the team being able to win the votes it did despite being a new party meant that its "core values resonate with the voters".[60]

The worst-performing party at the polls was the Singapore Democratic Alliance, whose secretary-general Desmond Lim polled under 5 percent of votes in Punggol East Single Member Constituency—the only three-way contest of the election—and lost a S$16,000 election deposit. He said voters had voted based on brand name, as the other opposition candidate in the ward was from the WP. The SDA also contested Pasir Ris–Punggol Group Representation Constituency, and Lim said the party was "very happy" at its positive vote swing from 2006 of over 4 percent. However, the SDA's anchorman in the constituency Harminder Pal Singh described the loss as a "time for painful reflection" and said the party would work harder to win more votes.[61]

### Foreign reactions

[edit]

At an ASEAN heads-of-state meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, leaders of ASEAN nations reportedly told S. Jayakumar, Singapore's representative at the event, that they were "saddened, disappointed and surprised" at the news that foreign minister Yeo had been defeated, according to the state-run Straits Times,[62] while at the same meeting the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Tun Razak, said the PAP's win would mean a continuity in understanding between the Malaysian and Singaporean governments on bilateral issues.[63] The BBC described it as a landmark result.[64]

### Non-Constituency Member of Parliament offers

[edit]

Three Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP) seats were offered after the election to the top three losing opposition candidates. The Singapore People's Party accepted the seat for Lina Chiam, ensuring that the Chiam family retained representation in Parliament. While Chiam See Tong has said he is opposed to the scheme, the SPP reasoned that it was "critical" to ensure an "alternative voice in Parliament", to allow the party to "remain engaged in national issues", and to be publicly visible until the next election due by 2016. Mrs Chiam also pointed out that she was "influenced by the wishes of Potong Pasir residents" and she accepted the post as her losing margin was too small.[65]

The Workers' Party was offered the final two NCMP seats for having the second and third best performing losing candidates, which it accepted despite Mr Low also disputing the scheme. Yee Jenn Jong was thus appointed for his performance in Joo Chiat SMC, but as it had to choose one member from the East Coast GRC team, the younger Gerald Giam was chosen over team leader and party treasurer Eric Tan as part of its leadership renewal process. Eric Tan resigned from the party, citing his disagreement with the appointment.[66]

On 16 May 2011, the three proposed NCMPs were formally appointed.[67]

## Legacy

[edit]

### Use of social media

[edit]

The election saw a heavier use of social and online media compared to 2006 Singapore general election, especially to evade censorship in Singapore. It is widely perceived by the populace that the major state-run newspapers and broadcasters "align[ed] itself with the party's ideals and decisions" and that the electoral system was tilted against the Opposition.[28] It had been difficult to create alternative media until the rise of sites such as The Online Citizen and such internet tools such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs, which saw increased significance in the 2006 elections but became especially prominent in the 2011 elections. [68] According to The Economist, the PAP's aggressive modernisation of Singapore created "one of the world's most wired societies," leading to new media that "transformed" the electoral scene in Singapore. Characterising the state-run mainstream press as "docile", the Economist also argued that this also forced significantly more news coverage of the Opposition than in previous elections, since the mainstream media feared their readership deserting them.[28] One blogger from CNN wrote, "Thanks to social media, it doesn't matter that the country's largely state-run media leans towards reporting the actions of the PAP, no one's reading anyway.".[68] The Economist however was more cynical in its analysis of the election: "in Singapore, winning 7% of parliamentary seats is tantamount to an opposition triumph".[28]

### The first election in which a GRC was won by the Opposition

[edit]

Traditionally regarded as a PAP "fortress", a GRC fell to the opposition for the first time in Singapore's political history. In previous elections, the Opposition had never won a GRC, which ostensibly ensure minority representation in parliament but also shut out smaller opposition parties with less resources. GRCs comprise over 86% of the seats, but the Opposition in previous elections would contest "less than half the seats". The election saw the most extensive use of co-ordination to avoid "three-cornered fights" and was also notable for seeing "two veteran MPs" making immense risks by choosing to contest in GRCs rather than their historical SMC strongholds.[28]

### Signals to the ruling party

[edit]

The election results were widely used in national and international discussions that the population was trying to send a message to a ruling party that "can also come across as smug, arrogant and high-handed" despite a win margin of over 20%, which usually counts as a landslide victory for most democratic nations but has been one of the narrowest margins since 1965.[28] The last election with a similarly narrow victory occurred in the 1963 Singapore general election, when the PAP's major opponent was the Barisan Sosialis—which in itself was a splinter group formed from the leftist wing of the PAP, where it had comprised 80% of the PAP grassroots membership, 35 out of the PAP's 51 branch committees and 19 of its 23 organising secretaries. According to the Economist, Singaporeans would prefer not to have an alternative government but a humbler one, as well as a "stronger opposition".

On 14 May, exactly a week after the election, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew announced in a joint statement that they would be quitting the country's Cabinet, saying it was time for a "team of younger ministers" to "engage with this young generation in shaping the future of Singapore."[69] In a similar analysis by Bloomberg, the resignations and the ensuing cabinet reshuffle were the actions of a ruling party "seeking to overhaul its image with voters" whose "narrowest election victory on record signaled a shortfall in support among younger voters".[70] Analysts such as Citigroup economist Kit Wei Zheng believed that Minister Lee had contributed to the PAP's poor performance.[71]

Lee Kuan Yew was also quoted as saying that a younger generation was required to "carry Singapore forward in a more difficult and complex situation" while Lee Hsien Loong declared the party "would change the way it governs" and do some "soul-searching". A Singapore Management University professor said "[The PAP] will have to demonstrate that it remains a mass movement, and not [Lee Kuan Yew]’s alter ego," noting that younger Singaporeans do not see Lee Kuan Yew with the same godlike perception as older Singaporeans born before 1980.

### Further retirements

[edit]

Both losing ministers in Aljunied GRC, George Yeo and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua, announced their retirements from politics in separate news conferences given in the days after the election.[72][73] George Yeo, who remained popular online and continued to have "a flood of support" after the election and had been repeatedly urged to contest the next election, or even contest the 2011 Singaporean presidential election turned his supporters down, declaring, "I'm a free spirit, and I don't think I'm temperamentally suited for such a job."[74]

## See also

[edit]

* Elections in Singapore
* Constituencies of Singapore
* List of Singaporean electoral divisions
* List of political parties in Singapore
* 2012 Hougang by-election and 2013 Punggol East by-election \- two by-elections held after the election

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b 139,771 of the 2,350,873 registered voters were in uncontested constituencies, leaving 2,211,102 voters able to vote.
2. ^ After the ruling government sued him into bankruptcy, Chee Soon Juan is barred from standing in elections. The SDP was thus led by its assistant secretary-general, John Tan, contesting in Sembawang GRC.

## References

[edit]

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4. ^ Stakes and risk very high for opposition: WP chief. Straitstimes.com (28 April 2011). Retrieved 4 May 2011.
5. ^ GE 82 of 87 seats contested Archived 29 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Channel NewsAsia (27 April 2011). Retrieved 4 May 2011.
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## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Singaporean general election, 2011.

* Official elections webpage – Elections Department Singapore
* News about the General Election by MediaCorp Archived 1 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine

Other official information

* Parliamentary Elections Act Archived 18 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine Singapore Statutes Online, Chapter 218

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