Early GE2025 likely as Singapore reviews electoral boundaries
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has officially initiated the process for the 2025 national election (GE2025) by convening a committee to review electoral boundaries, signalling that general elections may be closer than expected.
This move comes as the city-state gears up for what could be Wong’s first electoral test since taking office in May 2024.
Although the country is legally required to hold elections by November 2025, early polls could be called to strengthen Wong's mandate amid growing global economic challenges.
The electoral boundary review, which is expected to be completed by 1 April 2025, will determine the new constituencies based on demographic shifts, with subsequent adjustments to the number of parliamentarians and candidates in each division.
This report is critical as it sets the stage for the upcoming vote, typically held within two to four months of its release.
Observers suggest that Wong may opt for an early election to capitalise on his leadership before uncertainties like global inflation and geopolitical tensions escalate further.
Wong, a Harvard graduate, succeeded Lee Hsien Loong in May 2024 and inherited an economy navigating significant global volatility, including the US-China trade war and the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
Despite these challenges, the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) remains overwhelmingly dominant, having won 89 per cent of parliamentary seats in the 2020 general election.
However, even slight losses would mark a setback for the party, which has governed Singapore uninterrupted since independence in 1965.
In response to concerns about the rising cost of living, Wong has prioritised addressing income inequality through enhanced safety nets and re-skilling programs.
These policies are part of his broader strategy to secure public support, especially in light of Singaporeans’ growing discontent over economic pressures.
While most analysts believe the PAP will retain power, the outcome of the election will be a significant indicator of Wong’s political capital.
Read on the electoral boundary review that sets the stage for an early GE2025 here.