2011 Singaporean general election

none September 2015 August 2026 Singapore parliamentary 2006 Singaporean general election 2006 11th Parliament of Singapore 2015 Singaporean general election 2015 12th Parliament of Singapore All 87 directly elected seats in Parliament (and up to 9 NCMPs) 2011 05 07 y 2,350,873RV 93.18% ( 0.82pp) 130x130px Lee Hsien Loong - 20101112.jpg Lee Hsien Loong People's Action Party 66.60%, 82 seats 81 1 1,212,154 60.14% 6.46pp Low Thia Khiang 4 (3x4 cropped).jpg Low Thia Khiang Workers' Party (Singapore) 16.50%, 2 seats 8 6 258,510 12.83% 3.67pp ChiamSeeTong-SDARally-20060502.jpg Chiam See Tong Singapore People's Party 12.96%, 1 seat 1 62,639 3.11% 9.85pp Map of the results of the 2011 Singaporean general election.svg Results by constituency Prime Minister Prime Minister after election Lee Hsien Loong People's Action Party Lee Hsien Loong People's Action Party Ang Mo Kio GRC Hougang SMC(contested Aljunied GRC, won) Potong Pasir SMC(contested Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC, lost) General elections were held in Singapore on 7 May 2011 to elect members of Parliament. They were the thirteenth general elections since the introduction of self-government in 1959 and the eleventh since independence in 1965. President S.R. Nathan dissolved parliament on 19 April on the advice of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong three weeks before the election. The number of elected seats was increased from 84 to 87 from the previous election. This was the second election contested by Lee as prime minister.Constitution of the Republic of Singapore Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore website http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_getdata.pl?&actno=1999-REVED-CONST&date=latest&method=part&segid=931158660-001483#931158660-001928 17 December 2008 15 February 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170215181417/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_getdata.pl?&actno=1999-REVED-CONST&date=latest&method=part&segid=931158660-001483#931158660-001928 dead Key issues in the elections included immigration, the cost of living and housing, as well as ministerial salaries, opposition representation, the management of the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, and the national security including the Mas Selamat Kastari's breakout in 2008. As a result, the election is described by analysts and pundits as a "watershed" election, whereas it saw the most number of seats being contested at the time, and the electorate surpassed two million, making it the most actively contested in Singapore's history at the time since its first post-independence election in 1968. The only constituency with a multi-cornered fight was Punggol East SMC, the first such multi-cornered contest since 2001, while the only constituency with a walkover was the five-seat Tanjong Pagar GRC; it was the last general election to have a walkover in at least one constituency until 2025. It also marked the last general election to feature Lee Kuan Yew prior to his death in 2015.Chong Terence Daljit Singh A Return to Normal Politics: Singapore General Elections 2011 Malcolm Cook Turning Points and Transitions: Selections from Southeast Asian Affairs 1974–2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1355/9789814843089-050 10.1355/9789814843089-050 ISEAS Publishing 9789814843089 21 November 2018 622–23 "However, the fact that the ruling PAP was not returned to government on Nomination Day is not new … GE2006 and GE2011 mark a return too the old." While the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) retained its supermajority, their popular vote fell further to a record-worst score in post-independence with only 60.14%.https://www.ft.com/content/ac59d4aa-7924-11e0-b655-00144feabdc0 Singapore opposition makes historic gains Brown Kevin 8 May 2011 Financial Times 9 May 2011 10 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110510131642/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ac59d4aa-7924-11e0-b655-00144feabdc0.html live Nevertheless, the election saw historic gains for the opposition in Singapore's political landscape, with the Workers' Party (WP) clinching the first Group representation constituency since its creation in 1988, with the team defeating the incumbent PAP in the Aljunied GRC to expand their representation to eight seats, including Hougang SMC and the two non-constituency seats (NCMP). http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666172.html 81 out of 87 seats for PAP 8 May 2011 Straits Times 8 May 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110509184332/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666172.html 9 May 2011https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/world/asia/08singapore.html Singapore Loosens Grip on the Internet Mydans Seth 8 May 2011 The New York Times 8 May 2011 With amendments to the constitution on increasing the required minimum opposition candidates to nine, three NCMPs were awarded with one going to Singapore People's Party (SPP) after a narrow defeat in Potong Pasir, returning that SMC to PAP's hands for the first time since 1984; for the first time since 1988, only one opposition party (the WP) won elected MPs, as the SPP's Chiam See Tong, who led his team in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, was defeated in addition to losing his safe seat of Potong Pasir SMC.Kor Kian Beng 13 May 2011 SPP accepts NCMP offer for Mrs Chiam http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667861.html 13 May 2011 Straits TimesHussain Zakir 13 May 2011 WP's Yee Jenn Jong, Gerald Giam, to take up NCMP seats http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_668205.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110516063734/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_668205.html 16 May 2011 13 May 2011 Straits Times Background The 2011 general election was the thirteenth held since the introduction of self-government in 1959 and the eleventh since Singapore's independence in 1965. The governing People's Action Party (PAP) aimed to secure its thirteenth consecutive term in office since its first electoral victory in 1959. It was the second general election led by Lee Hsien Loong as both Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the PAP. The returning officer is the Chief Executive Director of the People's Association (PA) Yam Ah Mee, who replaced his predecessor Tan Boon Huat after serving as returning officer for three general elections from 1997 to 2006.APPOINTMENT OF RETURNING OFFICER http://www.elections.gov.sg/gazette/G_ParE2010/Appointment%20of%20Returning%20Officer%20(PEA).pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20110428110125/http://www.elections.gov.sg/gazette/G_ParE2010/Appointment%20of%20Returning%20Officer%20(PEA).pdf 28 April 2011 10 May 2011 As of the recent 2025 election, this was the most recent election with Yam declaring the "pursuant to section 49" line and the rejected votes announced first before voter's turnout; subsequent elections from 2015 would omit the lines due to time constraints and the practice of announcing valid votes first before announcing rejected votes.https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151365993832934.1073741847.93889432933&type=1 Facebook – YAM AH MEE'S FAREWELL PARTY Facebook 28 March 2013 15 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160415032128/https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151365993832934.1073741847.93889432933&type=1 live Parliamentary reforms 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.3 bills tabled to amend Constitution, Presidential & Parliamentary elections Channel News Asia http://news.sg.msn.com/cna/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3940283 16 March 2010 , all of which were later passed by its legislature on 26 April by a 74-1 vote following a three-hour debate on the bill.Singapore's constitutional amendments passed The Straits Times http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?id=11598 27 April 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110723020821/http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?id=11598 23 July 2011 dmy-all These amendments include the reduced average size of Group representation constituencies (GRC) and the increase of the minimum opposition legislators and Nominated Members of Parliament (NMP), from three and six respectively to nine each. As such, this was the first election to increase the Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) since the implementation of the scheme in 1984. Another new addition was "cooling-off" day, a one-day period of election silence held on the eve of polling day, which prohibit regular campaigning with some exceptions such as the party political broadcasts. Internet campaigning was also formally legalised as a legitimate method of political campaigning. A month before the dissolution, the Elections Department Singapore announced a raise of the maximum campaigning expenses in this election, which raised from the previous amount per each voter of $3 up to $3.50.Parliamentary Elections Act (Amendment of Third Schedule) Order 2011 https://www.eld.gov.sg/gazettes/2011/Amendment%20to%20Third%20Schedule.pdf#zoom=100 ELD 29 August 2026 Political parties 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, marking its second election under Lee's premiership. The last parliament besides PAP, comprises two other opposition parties, namely Workers' Party (WP) and Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA). The WP, led by Low Thia Khiang since 2001, become the main opposition party per the results of the 2006 election, as well as its first NCMP Sylvia Lim, who was also the party's chairwoman. The SDA was left with Singapore Justice Party (SJP) and Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura (Singapore Malay National Organization/PKMS) as its membership parties after two parties, Chiam See Tong's Singapore People's Party (SPP) and the National Solidarity Party (NSP), both left SDA, and Desmond Lim took over Chiam as its secretary-general. Former WP candidate Goh Meng Seng joined NSP in 2008, a year after NSP's departure, and become NSP's secretary-general. The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) is the only existing party without represenation; however, secretary-general Chee Soon Juan was still unable to contest because of the undischarged bankruptcy at the time."sdpjohn" Per the constitution, candidates with an undischarged bankrupty is barred from standing in elections. The SDP was thus led by its assistant secretary-general, John Tan, contesting in Sembawang GRC. SDP's Chee Soon Juan declared bankrupt, cannot stand for elections till 2011 Channel NewsAsia 10 February 2006 http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/print/192561/1/.html 17 December 2008 1 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071001015309/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/print/192561/1/.html dead Debuting in this election is Reform Party, which was created on 18 June 2008 by former WP secretary-general J.B. Jeyaretnam, who had since cleared of bankruptcy and was reinstated into the law bar.Jeyaretnam reinstated as an attorney after appeal is accepted TODAY website http://politics.sgforums.com/forums/10/topics/280688 17 December 2008 4 October 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081004100601/http://politics.sgforums.com/forums/10/topics/280688 live J.B. died three months later on 30 September,JBJ dies of heart attack The Straits Times http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_284282.html 17 December 2008 30 September 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080930153745/http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_284282.html live and his son Kenneth has since become its secretary-general.http://thereformparty.net/about/cec/ Central Executive Committee Reform Party Reform Party website 7 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235541/http://thereformparty.net/about/cec/ 3 March 2016 dead PartyLeaderVotes in GE2006Seats wonRemarksPeople's Action Party Lee Hsien Loong 66.60 People's Action Party 82 84 People's Action Party 80 seats at time of dissolution.Workers' Party Low Thia Khiang 16.34 Workers' Party (Singapore) 1 84 Workers' Party (Singapore) Including one Non-constituency Member of Parliament. Singapore Democratic Alliance Desmond Lim 12.96 Singapore Democratic Alliance1 84 Singapore Democratic Alliance Alliance with Singapore Justice Party and Singapore Malay National Organisation parties. National Solidarity Party Goh Meng Seng Withdrew from the alliance in 2007. Singapore People's Party Chiam See Tong Withdrew from the alliance in 2010.Singapore Democratic Party John Tan"sdpjohn" 4.83 Singapore Democratic Party 0 84 Singapore Democratic Party Chee did not stand for the election. Reform Party Kenneth Jeyaretnam colspan=2 Did not exist Electoral divisions List of Singaporean electoral divisions (2011–15) 2006 2011 Seats 89 93 Electoral divisions 23 27 Group representation constituencies 14 15 Four-Member GRCs 0 2 Five-Member GRCs 9 11 Six-Member GRCs 5 2 Single member constituencies 9 12 Average GRC size 5.36 5.00 Voters 2,158,704 2,347,198 Voters (overseas votes inclusive) 2,159,721 2,350,873 Average electorate per seat 25,711 27,673 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 14 GRCs, each with five or six seats, and nine Single Member Constituencies (SMC). There were a total of 84 seats being contested in the 2006 elections.25 February 2011 GE Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report accepted - Channel NewsAsia http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112730/1/.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110225222245/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112730/1/.html 25 February 2011 31 December 202125 February 2011 GE 11 new constituencies drawn up - Channel NewsAsia http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112773/1/.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110225222317/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112773/1/.html 25 February 2011 31 December 2021 The new electoral map for 2011 was announced on 24 February 2011. The number of MPs to return has increased by three seats to 87, and four-member GRCs reappeared from the political map for the first time since its last appearance in 1997. Both Hong Kah and Jalan Besar GRCs were renamed into Chua Chu Kang and Moulmein–Kallang GRCs respectively, while three of five existing six-member GRCs were reduced to five seats each with Ang Mo Kio and Pasir Ris–Punggol remained at six (these GRCs would eventually be reduced in 2020). With the population growth in Yishun and Simpang leading to the formation of Nee Soon GRC,24 February 2011 GE: How many voters does each GRC get? http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112777/1/.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121022094518/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112777/1/.html 22 October 2012 8 June 2014 cna there are a total of 15 GRCs this election, up by one from the last election. Only two constituencies of Bishan–Toa Payoh and Tampines were left untouched. The number of SMCs have been increased by three to 12 for this election, with the introductions of Hong Kah North, Pioneer, Punggol East and Sengkang West, as well as returning SMCs of Mountbatten, Radin Mas, Whampoa and Yuhua after being part of GRCs in previous elections. In turn, Chua Chu Kang, MacPherson, Nee Soon Central, Nee Soon East and Yio Chu Kang were absorbed into neighbouring GRCs. none|thumb|800px|Singapore electoral boundaries, released in February 2011 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 SMCCarved 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 SMCAbsorbed a minor portion of Punggol South from Pasir Ris–Punggol GRCCarved out Nee Soon South division (excluding the Lentor area south of Seletar Expressway) into Nee Soon GRC, and Sengkang West division into SMC Chua Chu Kang GRC New ConstituencyFormed 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 membersCarved 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 SMCPortions 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 membersAbsorbed MacPherson SMC and a minor portion of Joo Chiat SMCPortions 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 divisionCarved out a portion of Kaki Bukit division to Aljunied GRC, and Mountbatten division into SMC Moulmein–Kallang GRC New ConstituencyFormed 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 ConstituencyFormed 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 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 membersCarved out Canberra and Chong Pang to Nee Soon GRCPortions of Sembawang and Woodlands were formed into Woodgrove division. Tanjong Pagar GRC Ward downsized to five membersAbsorbed Buona Vista and Kreta Ayer–Kim Seng divisions from Holland–Bukit Timah GRC and Jalan Besar GRC, respectivelyCarved out Moulmein division into Moulmein–Kallang GRC, and Radin Mas division into SMCMerged 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 divisionAyer Rajah–West Coast division were split into Ayer Rajah and West Coast divisions. Nomination Pre-election day events of the 2011 Singaporean general election Timeline 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 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 PAP 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, lawyer Edwin Tong, civil servants Low Yen Ling and Sim Ann, 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 parties, which include Pritam Singh who made another inroad into Parliament and went on to become the WP 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 Pre-election day events of the 2011 Singaporean general election#Outgoing candidates 20 existing PAP members from the 11th Parliament retired this election, including speaker Abdullah Tarmugi, Senior Minister S Jayakumar, Lim Boon Heng, Lee Boon Yang and Yu-Foo Yee Shoon among others;http://www.ge.sg/candidates/stepdown/2011/a/ General Election 2011 – Retired MPs ge.sg 9 May 2011 10 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110510082413/http://www.ge.sg/candidates/stepdown/2011/a/ dead two members died during their term (Ang Mo Kio GRC's Balaji Sadasivan and Jurong GRC's Ong Chit Chung) but neither by-elections were called since their wards were in the purview in Group Representation Constituency. Eric Low, another PAP candidate that first entered politics in the 2001 election but lost twice to WP in Hougang SMC, did not seek re-election, making him the second PAP candidate to participate but did not enter parliament (the first being Pang Kim Hin). Nomination day details Nomination day occurred on 27 April 2011 and opened from 11am for an hour. The election deposit for this election was S$16,000, the highest amount set in any election's history. The Elections Department allocated the following nine places of nomination as nomination centres:1063 Writ of Election.pdf https://www.eld.gov.sg/gazettes/2011/1063%20Writ%20of%20Election.pdf#zoom=100 15 April 2025 Nomination centre Electoral division(s) Admiralty Secondary School Nee Soon GRCIO Sembawang GRCM Bedok View Secondary School East Coast GRCM Pasir Ris-Punggol GRCM Punggol East SMC Deyi Secondary School Aljunied GRCM Ang Mo Kio GRCIO Bishan-Toa Payoh GRCIO Sengkang West SMC Dunman Secondary School Hougang SMC Tampines GRCM Greenridge Secondary School Bukit Panjang SMC Holland-Bukit Timah GRCIO Jurong Junior College Jurong GRCIO Pioneer SMC West Coast GRCIO Yuhua SMC Singapore Chinese Girls' School Moulmein-Kallang GRCM Radin Mas SMC Tanjong Pagar GRCIO Whampoa SMC South View Primary School Chua Chu Kang GRCM Hong Kah North SMC Tao Nan School Joo Chiat SMC Marine Parade GRCM Mountbatten SMC Potong Pasir SMC A M indicates a GRC requires a Malay/Muslim minority candidate, while IO indicates a GRC requires an Indian or other minority candidate During nomination, Steve Tan Peng Hoe pulled out from contesting Tampines GRC; Tanjong Pagar GRC incumbent Baey Yam Keng took his place, in turn new candidate Chia Shi-Lu replaced Baey in his place.Chia Shi Lu – from unknown to MP. Straitstimes.com (28 April 2011). Retrieved on 2011-05-04.Chua Lee Hoong 28 April 2011 Singapore heads to history-making polls on May 7 The Straits Times http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_662123.html 9 May 2011 8 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110808154738/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_662123.html dead27 April 2020 Chia Shi-Lu: I haven't just appeared AsiaOne https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110427-275967.html 1 July 2020 Assoc Prof Chia Shi Lu https://www.sgh.com.sg/profile/chia-shi-lu Staking claims 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. none|thumb|800px|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 Televised forums 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 PAP and four opposition parties to discuss long and short-term challenges for the country. MediaCorp presents a political forum on Singapore's future Mediacorp website http://www.mediacorp.sg/en/media/EDC110330-0000661/MediaCorp%20presents%20a%20political%20forum 3 April 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110406044926/http://www.mediacorp.sg/en/media/EDC110330-0000661/MediaCorp%20presents%20a%20political%20forum 6 April 2011 dmy-all 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, 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 The Worker's Party utilised social media to circumvent obstacles placed in front of them by Singapore's government-controlled media.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/world/singapores-ruling-party-chastened-in-poll/news-story/c59326885c4d179095e249aa2c79559d Singapore's ruling party chastened in poll Loudon Bruce 9 May 2011 The Australian subscription 8 May 2011 Battleground Constituencies Similar to the previous elections, many media outlets named the following constituencies as "hotspots":The Straits Times, 1 May 2011 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/issue/straitstimes20110501-1 NewspaperSG 3 March 2025Which are the strong opposition parties this GE https://news.smu.edu.sg/sites/news.smu.edu.sg/files/wwwsmu/news_room/smu_in_the_news/2011/sources/Yahoo!_20110420_1.pdf Singapore management University 3 March 2025GE2015: A look back at the last 5 general elections from 1991 to 2011 https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2015-a-look-back-at-the-last-5-general-elections-from-1991-to-2011 The Straits Times 1 March 2025 en 7 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181007073757/https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2015-a-look-back-at-the-last-5-general-elections-from-1991-to-2011 live Aljunied GRC, in which it was PAP's narrowest victory (of 56.09%-43.91%) in the last election, as Hougang SMC incumbent Low Thia Khiang left the ward to lead his WP's A-team to contest the ward; analysts hinted that the addition of Kaki Bukit division into the ward (in exchange of Aljunied-Hougang division to Ang Mo Kio GRC) could be decisive, as many of the wards consist of parts of the previously defunct Cheng San and Eunos GRCs, both of which WP had strong support in during the constituency's existence.Ex-foreign minister George Yeo was 'mentally prepared' to lose Aljunied GRC in 2011 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ex-foreign-minister-george-yeo-was-mentally-prepared-to-lose-aljunied-grc-in-2011 The Straits Times 10 May 2026 en 21 May 2015 Similarly, Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC, which faced its first contest since the formation in 1997, was also a hotspot as Potong Pasir SMC incumbent Chiam See Tong left the ward to also lead his SPP's A-team (and the only GRC team) to contest the ward. Unlike Aljunied, the boundaries for Bishan–Toa Payoh were intact throughout its existence. Chua Chu Kang, Marine Parade and Tampines GRCs, in which the NSP party (the largest opposition slate for the election) fielded their top teams for them. Chua Chu Kang, previously a SMC in the last election where Steve Chia won 39.63% (the best performing losing score for SDA) was led by Sebastian Teo; Marine Parade, whose last contest was 19 years ago in 1992 was led by former MP Cheo Chai Chen; and Tampines, which NSP had contested in every election except 1997, was led by its party leader Goh Meng Seng (who was part of the Aljunied GRC WP team in the last election; he left WP in 2008 before joining NSP).17 October 2019 PPP Secretary-General: I will not support WP anymore https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2019/10/17/ppp-secretary-general-i-will-not-support-wp-anymore/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20200920180251/https://www.onlinecitizenasia.com/2019/10/17/ppp-secretary-general-i-will-not-support-wp-anymore/ 20 September 2020 28 June 2020 The Online Citizen en-GB Nee Soon GRC, a new constituency formed with the inclusions of Nee Soon Central and Nee Soon East SMCs, where many oppositions such as WP also had contested in the past two elections. The two incumbents, Ho Peng Kee and Ong Ah Heng, both retired in this election. Joo Chiat SMC was also named as one of the hotspots after incumbent MP Chan Soo Sen stepped down; Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Charles Chong stepped in and faced WP's new face Yee Jenn Jong this election. Joo Chiat had the widest swing of 18.54% in the last election, when Chan defeated former WP chairman Tan Bin Seng with 65.01%-34.99%. According to Yee in his acceptance speech, he was a resident in this constituency.Opposition politicians weigh their options after release of electoral boundaries report https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/opposition-politicians-weigh-their-options-after-release-of-electoral-boundaries-report The Straits Times 10 May 2026 en 24 July 2015Speeches for PAP and WP candidates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYwtTWFL_mk&pp=ygUbam9vIGNoaWF0IG5vbWluYXRpb24gZGF5IHdw 10 May 2026 25 July 2013 Punggol East SMC, in which it was the election's only three-cornered contest (between PAP's incumbent Michael Palmer, SDA's leader Desmond Lim, and WP's Lee Li Lian). Likewise, Holland–Bukit Timah GRC was also hotly contested as it was also the ward's inaugural battle since its formation last election. Political rallies 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.Singapore Police Force – Media Information Centre https://web.archive.org/web/20110501062603/http://www.spf.gov.sg/mic/2011/110427_election_meeting.htm 1 May 2011 . Spf.gov.sg. Retrieved 4 May 2011. 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)http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081781/1/GE-Live-streaming-of-Thursdays-rallies GE: Live streaming of Thursday's rallies 5 May 2011 ge.sg 9 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110508113712/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081781/1/GE-Live-streaming-of-Thursdays-rallies 8 May 2011 dead 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 thumb|right|The National Solidarity Party's rally on 4 May at the Tampines Stadium thumb|right|Merchandise sold during the political rally by the Singapore Democratic Party in Bukit Panjang on 3 May Controversies Online video 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".Xuanwei Teo Netizens attempt to identify video SDP accused of 'suppressing' http://www.todayonline.com/SingaporeVotes/EDC110425-0000184/Netizens-attempt-to-identify-video-SDP-accused-of-suppressing 12 May 2011 Today Online 25 April 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110429164837/http://www.todayonline.com/SingaporeVotes/EDC110425-0000184/Netizens-attempt-to-identify-video-SDP-accused-of-suppressing 29 April 2011 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."Mokhtar Faris SDP, PAP clash over mystery videoe http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/sdp-hits-back-pap-criticisms-141142593.html 9 August 2011 Yahoo News 24 April 2011 28 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110428110734/http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/sdp-hits-back-pap-criticisms-141142593.html live This incident was cited in an article published in The Economist criticising the ruling party's election strategyLow expectations https://www.economist.com/asia/2011/05/12/low-expectations 12 May 2011 The Economist 12 May 2011 23 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121023125629/http://www.economist.com/node/18681827?story_id=18681827&fsrc=rss live The New Paper released a story next day, with the headline: "Is Singapore ready for a GAY MP?".Sim Bryna Melvin Singh Is Singapore ready for a GAY MP? http://www.tnp.sg/content/spore-ready-gay-mp 26 April 2011 The New Paper 16 May 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110428141427/http://www.tnp.sg/content/spore-ready-gay-mp 28 April 2011 Kenneth Jeyaretnam of the Reform Party called Balakrishnan's campaign a "low attack." Balakrishnan received widespread controversy and criticism online for his remark,.Paulo Derrick Drama over video, YOG and economic policies http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110507-0000027/Drama-over-video,-YOG-and-economic-policies 12 May 2011 Today Online 7 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120609145108/http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110507-0000027/Drama-over-video,-YOG-and-economic-policies 9 June 2012 dead On 28 April, he told the press: "there is "no need" to further discuss [the] video". He said that his question was a "legitimate".Mokhtar Faris Vivian Balakrishnan: Let's not talk about the video anymore http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/dr-vivian-let-not-talk-video-anymore-173058828.html 16 May 2011 Yahoo News 28 April 2011 30 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110430115519/http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/dr-vivian-let-not-talk-video-anymore-173058828.html live Cooling-off day 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".RazorTV interview with Nicole Seah in MacPherson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FOUW4iA6b8 https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/0FOUW4iA6b8 15 December 2021 live Straits Times RazorTV 7 May 2011 The NSP team was advised by the Elections Department to lodge a police report before the Elections Department could investigate.NSP advised to make police report http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_665908.html 7 May 2011 Straits Times 7 May 2011 9 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110509184052/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_665908.html live 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".8 May 2011 Tin Pei Ling's Cooling-off Day 'comment' pursue or not? http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081862/1/Tin-Pei-Lings-Coolingoff-Day-comment-pursue-or-not dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110509185230/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081862/1/Tin-Pei-Lings-Coolingoff-Day-comment-pursue-or-not 9 May 2011 9 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 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.Update On Four Police Cases Related To Possible Offences Committed During The General Election 2011 Singapore Police Force 10 August 2011 http://www.spf.gov.sg/mic/2011/110810_update_offences_GE2011.htm 10 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120320072412/http://www.spf.gov.sg/mic/2011/110810_update_offences_GE2011.htm 20 March 2012 dead Separately, the NSP also complained that the PAP had been distributing election material to residents in Tampines GRC in violation of cooling-off regulations. Returning officer Yam Ah Mee was appointed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as Returning Officer for the 2011 presidential election.Yam Ah Mee returns as Returning Officer https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110803-292562.html 22 November 2022 www.asiaone.com Yam announced the results of the four nominated candidates for the presidential election at 4:24am (GMT +8). Yam's robotic voice announcing the results for Aljunied GRC had turned into a mix just within a few hours ensuing the elections. Many took clips of his voice and mixed it with various styles of music, from electro to dance, on YouTube. In less than 24 hours after the release of the 2011 presidential election results, a club mix of Yam announcing the results was released on YouTube,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTFrfafVNe8 Yam Ah Mee Presidential Club Mix (PE 2011) - YouTube YouTube 2 December 2016 5 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160605191921/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTFrfafVNe8 live 'Yummy' Yam Ah Mee explains 'robot' voice: He had throat surgery due to fishbone http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/general_election_2011/626124/now_you_cant_be_friends_with_yummy_yam_mee.html dead 10 May 2011 12 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110512041027/http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/general_election_2011/626124/now_you_cant_be_friends_with_yummy_yam_mee.html by the same user responsible for the earlier club mix of Yam's general elections "performance". Yam has since explained that his "robotic" and "nasal" voice is due to an operation he had, to remove a fishbone in his larynx, although he has also said, explaining his impassive delivery to The Straits Times, that he "felt it was important to announce [the election results] clearly, concisely and impartially."http://tnp.sg/content/yam-ah-mee-internet-sensation Yam Ah Mee: An Internet sensation | the New Paper 11 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110512012123/http://www.tnp.sg/content/yam-ah-mee-internet-sensation 12 May 2011 dead Yam Ah Mee Yam Ah Mee (杨雅镁 Yáng Yǎměi,http://www.zaobao.com.sg/sp/sp110510_014.shtml 选举官杨雅镁网上爆红 Zaobao.com 11 May 2011 July 2025 InternetArchiveBot yes http://www.pa.gov.sg/about-us/organisation-chart.html People's Association Organisation Chart 11 May 2011 24 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110524115911/http://www.pa.gov.sg/about-us/organisation-chart.html live born 2 July 1957) is a Singaporean former brigadier-general and civil servant who served as Chief Executive Director of the People's Association between 2010 and 2013. He is best known for his monotone voice and expressionless demeanour as the returning officer for the 2011 election. Yam was also the Returning Officer for the 2012 Hougang by-election.Hougang By-Election 2012: Yam Ah Mee Announces the Candidates https://www.todayonline.com/watch/hougang-election-2012-yam-ah-mee-announces-candidates-1658411 24 July 2025 TODAY en The 2013 Punggol East by-election was Yam's last appearance as Returning Officer.http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130127-398142.html Yam Ah Mee gives thanks on last day as Returning Officer 27 January 2013 27 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130127122158/http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130127-398142.html live Yam was educated at Hwa Chong Junior College,http://theurbanwire.com/2011/05/10/yammering-online-for-yam-ah-mee/ Yammering online for Yam Ah Mee – the UrbanWire 11 May 2011 13 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110513101332/http://theurbanwire.com/2011/05/10/yammering-online-for-yam-ah-mee/ live before graduating from the University of New South Wales with a first class honours degree in engineering. He graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Australia, with The Queens Medal in 1980,Hedges 2012 152 under a scholarship conferred by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). He also completed a Master of Business Administration degree at the National University of Singapore and a Master of Public Administration degree at Harvard University.http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_new_content.asp?start=76 Land Transport Authority - What's New :: Content 10 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110807024000/http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_new_content.asp?start=76 7 August 2011 dead Yam had served in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), rising to the position of Chief of Staff – Air Staff,Yam Ah Mee's son charged for drink driving in the US https://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120621-354506.html 2 July 2021 www.asiaone.com 7 March 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180307074940/http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120621-354506.html live commanding the ground-based, air-defence systems, which include the new Igla short range surface to air missiles,File Not Found http://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1997/oct/15oct97_nr.html 10 May 2011 14 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171014234353/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1997/oct/15oct97_nr.html deadFile Not Found http://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1998/mar/24mar98_nr.html 10 May 2011 2 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210702065547/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/oms/content/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1998/mar/24mar98_nr.html dead before retiring with the rank Brigadier-General, and entering the Civil Service. Yam joined the Public Service Division in August 1998 and was appointed the Deputy Secretary (Development), and CEO and Dean of the Civil Service College. He was then posted to the Ministry of Transport (MOT) as Deputy Secretary (Sea and Air) on 1 June 2004 and was appointed Chief Executive of Land Transport Authority on 11 May 2005.Chan Robin Yam Ah Mee joining Sembcorp https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130214-401979.html 2 July 2021 www.asiaone.com He was also President of the Singapore Youth Flying Club for 8 years from 1998 to 2006.http://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2006/June/26jun06_news2.html File Not Found 10 May 2011 2 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210702065548/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/oms/content/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2006/June/26jun06_news2.html live In 2008, Yam was awarded the Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Emas) (Public Administration Medal (Gold)).17 November 2018 PMO Recipients https://www.pmo.gov.sg/National-Day-Awards/Recipients 2 July 2021 Prime Minister's Office Singapore en On 1 May 2010, Yam was appointed Chief Executive Director-designate of the People's Association, and on 1 June 2010 fully assumed the position of Chief Executive Director, taking over from the retiring Tan Boon Huat.Yam Ah Mee takes over as chief executive director of PA from June http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1045161/1/.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20110511063610/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1045161/1/.html 11 May 2011 11 May 2011Senior Appointment Changes at the People's Association (PA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) http://app1.mcys.gov.sg/PressRoom/SeniorAppointmentChanges.aspx dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120317013204/http://app1.mcys.gov.sg/PressRoom/SeniorAppointmentChanges.aspx 17 March 2012 11 May 2011 After gaining media attention due to his role as the returning officer for the 2011 general election, Yam did a "spoof" video of himself, in which he announced PAssion Movie Night, held to celebrate a million PAssion Card memberships, in his trademark manner. In May, Yam filmed a video to promote a K-pop dance event on 29 May 2011, to be held at Ngee Ann City.Yam Ah Mee -- Returning Officer turned K-pop dancer extraordinaire http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/643568/yam_ah_mee__returning_officer_turned_kpop_dancer_extraordinaire.html dead 27 May 2011 31 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110531022340/http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/643568/yam_ah_mee__returning_officer_turned_kpop_dancer_extraordinaire.html In January 2013, reports emerged that Yam had resigned from the PA and would leave the organisation by March, to be replaced by Ang Hak Seng, former Chief Executive for the Health Promotion Board.Yam Ah Mee to resign in March https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130110-394644.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20130112235321/http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130110-394644.html 12 January 2013 10 January 2013 In an interview with RazorTV, he announced plans to pursue a career in the private sector after 36 years in the Civil Service. He held a farewell party on 28 March 2013 and ended his tenure at the PA on 31 March 2013.Facebook – YAM AH MEE'S FAREWELL PARTY https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151365993832934.1073741847.93889432933&type=1 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160415032128/https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151365993832934.1073741847.93889432933&type=1 15 April 2016 28 March 2013 Facebook Yam joined Sembcorp Design and Construction as its managing director on 16 April 2013. Yam starred in a musical held to celebrate the opening of the first 12 stations of the Circle line, on 2 October.Yam Ah Mee to star in his first musical https://news.yahoo.com/news/news/yam-ah-mee-to-star-in-his-first-musical-.html 2 July 2021 news.yahoo.com 27 September 2011 en-US Results After polls closed at 8pm, vote counting began. Results were announced by the Returning Officer Yam Ah Mee, chief executive director of the People's Association.http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666918.html Yam Ah Mee: GE's new Internet star Wong Tessa 10 May 2011 Straits Times 10 May 2011 15 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120315164046/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666918.html live At 11.58pm (SGT), Mountbatten SMC, which had re-elected PAP candidate Lim Biow Chuan, was the first result to be called. The final constituency to be called was Potong Pasir SMC, which was announced at 2.51am, with the PAP's Sitoh Yih Pin unseated SPP's Lina Loh at a 0.72% margin (or 114 votes equivalent), following a recount. While the PAP retained government control for the 13th consecutive election in addition to its supermajority, its vote majorities were reduced islandwide for a second election in a row, down to its lowest national vote share to 60.17%, slightly surpassing the 1991's share of 60.97%. The constituency with the best performing result for the PAP in this election was at Hong Kah North SMC with 70.61%, being the only one to score at least 70% for the election. PAP won all but two constituencies with 81 out of 87 seats; the WP won the remaining six seats after successfully retaining Hougang SMC and for the first time since GRCs were introduced in 1988, WP had also won Aljunied GRC, the first instance where any opposition party won a GRC.http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081839/1/GE-Singapores-PAP-returns-to-power GE: Singapore's PAP returns to power 8 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 8 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110510070036/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081839/1/GE-Singapores-PAP-returns-to-power 10 May 2011 dead Its victory also lead to the defeat of cabinet minister George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua, who became the first two cabinet ministers to lose re-election since independence,http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081842/1/GE-We-hear-all-your-voices-says-PM-Lee GE: "We hear all your voices", says PM Lee 8 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 8 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110510063628/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081842/1/GE-We-hear-all-your-voices-says-PM-Lee 10 May 2011 deadhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13313695 Singapore opposition make 'landmark' election gains 7 May 2011 BBC News Online 8 May 2011 with the last time being 1963 (minister Kenneth Michael Byrne lost his seat of Crawford).http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?StoryId=%7Bd88efbec-96e4-4fe4-a726-349b3147c5b8%7D A Singaporean minister again in a hot seat 28 April 2011 Straits Times 8 May 2011 Furthermore, Hougang SMC clocked in the best performing result for WP at 64.80%, and the second-best performing result for any opposition party in post-independence Singapore's history, only behind 1991's Potong Pasir SMC's record of 69.64%. 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 in post-independence, which was previously held by 29-year old Ho Kah Leong back in 1966.Ho Kah Leong 何家良 https://iseaa.nafa.edu.sg/resources/collections/artist/ho-kah-leong NAFA 22 November 2024 22 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240622121030/https://iseaa.nafa.edu.sg/resources/collections/artist/ho-kah-leong live Her record would later be surpassed by 26-year old MP-elect Raeesah Khan in the 2020 elections.Singapore to see record number of women enter Parliament after GE2020 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ge2020-record-number-women-parliament-mps-singapore-12940394 CNA 18 July 2020 18 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200718062017/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ge2020-record-number-women-parliament-mps-singapore-12940394 dead Both Tin and Alex Yam were also the first two millennial MPs to be elected into parliament, and Michael Palmer become the first ethnic minority MP to manage a SMC since the introduction of the GRC system. Excluding electors in Tanjong Pagar GRC, voter turnout for the election was 93.18%, with 2,060,373 votes cast.http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667474.html 93.18% of registered electors voted in GE 2011 12 May 2011 Straits Times 13 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120505051952/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667474.html 5 May 2012 dead right Popular vote PAP 60.14 People's Action Party WP 12.83 Workers' Party (Singapore) NSP 12.04 National Solidarity Party (Singapore) SDP 4.83 Singapore Democratic Party RP 4.28 Reform Party (Singapore) SPP 3.11 Singapore People's Party SDA 2.78 Singapore Democratic Alliance right Elected seats won 5 seats (PAP; uncontested) 5.75 cyan 76 seats (PAP; contested) 87.36 People's Action Party 6 seats (WP) 6.89 Workers' Party (Singapore) People's Action Party 1212154 81 –1 Workers' Party 258510 8 +6 National Solidarity Party 242682 0 New Singapore Democratic Party 97369 0 0 Reform Party 86294 0 New Singapore People's Party 62639 1 New Singapore Democratic Alliance 55988 0 –1 +5 44737 2350873 93.18 Singapore ElectionsRV 139,771 of the 2,350,873 registered voters were in uncontested constituencies, leaving 2,211,102 voters able to vote. Opposition parties Contested vote Party Votes #DDD 500px 400px WP Workers' Party (Singapore) 46.60 SPP Singapore People's Party 41.44 NSP National Solidarity Party (Singapore) 39.26 SDP Singapore Democratic Party 36.76 RP Reform Party (Singapore) 31.78 SDA Singapore Democratic Alliance 30.06 By constituency Results of 2011 Singapore general electionhttp://www.elections.gov.sg/elections_results2011.html 2011 Parliamentary General Election results 7 May 2011 Singapore Elections Department 10 May 2011 13 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110513155116/http://www.elections.gov.sg/elections_results2011.html liveDivision Seats Voters Party Candidate(s) Votes Votes % Overseas vote difference Swing MarginsAljunied GRC5 143,148 Workers' Party Low Thia KhiangSylvia LimChen Show MaoPritam SinghFaisal Manap 72,28954.72 100 #FF00000.0110.81red 9.44% People's Action Party George YeoLim Hwee HuaZainul AbidinCynthia PhuaOng Ye Kung59,82945.28 100 #008FDB0.0110.81Ang Mo Kio GRC6 179,071 People's Action Party Lee Hsien LoongYeo Guat KwangInderjit SinghSeng Han ThongAng Hin KeeIntan Azura Mokhtar112,67769.33 100 #008FDB3.19blue 38.66% Reform Party Alex TanArthero LimVignes RamachandranLim Zi RuiMansor RahmanOsman Sulaiman 49,85130.67 100 #FF00003.19Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC5 122,492 People's Action Party Wong Kan SengNg Eng HenJosephine TeoHri KumarZainudin Nordin 62,385 56.93 100 #008FDB0.01N/Ablue 13.86% Singapore People's Party Chiam See TongBenjamin PweeWilfred LeungJimmy LeeMohamad Hamim bin Aliyas47,20543.07 100 #FF00000.01N/AChua Chu Kang GRC5 158,648 People's Action Party Gan Kim YongAlvin YeoZaqy MohamadAlex YamLow Yen Ling89,71061.20 100 #008FDB0.83blue 22.40% National Solidarity Party Sebastian Teo Tony TanHazel PoaNor Lella Mardiiiah MohamedJeisilan Sivalingam 56,885 38.80 100 #FF0000N/AEast Coast GRC5 120,324 People's Action Party Lim Swee SayMaliki OsmanLee Yi ShyanJessica TanRaymond Lim59,992 54.83 100 #008FDB9.03blue 9.66% Workers' Party Eric Tan Png Eng Huat Glenda HanGerald Giam06NC Elected as NCMP.Mohamed Fazli Bin Talip49,42945.17 100 #FF00009.03Holland–Bukit Timah GRC491,607 People's Action Party Vivian BalakrishnanChristopher de SouzaLiang Eng HwaSim Ann 48,773 60.08 100 #008FDB0.02N/Ablue 20.16% Singapore Democratic Party Tan Jee SayAng Yong GuanVincent WijeysinghaMichelle Lee 32,40639.92 100 #FF00000.02N/AJurong GRC5 125,276 People's Action Party Tharman ShanmugaratnamHalimah YacobAng Wei NengDesmond LeeDavid Ong 76,59566.96 100 #008FDBN/Ablue 33.92% National Solidarity Party Christopher Neo Abdul RasheedElvin Ong Ong Hock SiongNoraini Yunus 37,78633.04 100 #FF0000N/AMarine Parade GRC5 154,451 People's Action Party Goh Chok TongTan Chuan-JinFatimah LateefSeah Kian PengTin Pei Ling78,28656.64 100 #008FDB0.01N/Ablue 13.28% National Solidarity Party Cheo Chai ChenIvan Yeo Abdul Salim HarunSpencer Ng Nicole Seah 59,92643.36 100 #FF00000.01N/AMoulmein–Kallang GRC4 87,595 People's Action Party Lui Tuck YewYaacob IbrahimDenise PhuaEdwin Tong44,88658.55 100 #008FDB0.01N/Ablue 17.10% Workers' Party Mohd RahizanToh Hong BoonL SomasundramFrieda Chan31,77341.45 100 #FF00000.01N/ANee Soon GRC5 148,290 People's Action Party K. ShanmugamMuhammad Faishal IbrahimLee Bee WahLim Wee KiakPatrick Tay 80,74058.40 100 #008FDB0.01N/Ablue 16.80% Workers' Party John YamAngela Faye OonSajeev K. R. KamalasananWatson Chong Poh Lee Guan 57,52341.60 100 #FF00000.01N/APasir Ris–Punggol GRC6 168,971 People's Action Party Teo Chee HeanTeo Ser LuckPenny LowJanil PuthuchearyGan Thiam PohZainal Sapari100,49364.79 100 #008FDB3.91blue 29.58% Singapore Democratic Alliance Harminder Pal SinghSidney SoonJeffrey LimLee Song JuanTan Keng Hong Mohammad Shafni Ahmad54,60135.21 100 #FF00003.91Sembawang GRC5 142,459 People's Action Party Khaw Boon WanEllen LeeHawazi DaipiOng Teng KoonVikram Nair 84,25263.9 100 #008FDB0.0112.8blue 27.80% Singapore Democratic Party James GomezJohn TanJarrod LuoMohd Isa Abdul AzizSadasivam Veriyah 47,60536.1 100 #FF00000.0112.8Tampines GRC5 137,532 People's Action Party Mah Bow TanIrene NgMasagos ZulkifliBaey Yam KengHeng Swee Keat 72,72857.22 100 #008FDB11.29blue 14.44% National Solidarity Party Goh Meng SengReno Fong Syafarin SarifRaymond Lim Gilbert Goh 54,38142.78 100 #FF0000N/A Tanjong Pagar GRC 5 139,771 People's Action Party Lee Kuan YewLily NeoIndranee RajahChan Chun SingChia Shi-Lu Uncontested Walkover West Coast GRC5 121,045 People's Action Party Lim Hng KiangArthur FongS. IswaranFoo Mee HarLawrence Wong 72,56366.57 100 #008FDBN/Ablue 33.14% Reform Party Kenneth JeyaretnamFrankie LowAndy ZhuKumar AppavooHaren Hu 36,44333.43 100 #FF0000N/ABukit Panjang SMC133,053 People's Action Party Teo Ho Pin 20,37566.27 100 #008FDB0.0110.91blue 32.54% Singapore Democratic Party Alec Tok 10,37233.73 100 #FF00000.0110.91Hong Kah North SMC127,701 People's Action Party Amy Khor 18,15670.61 100 #008FDBN/Ablue 41.22% Singapore People's Party Sin Kek Tong 7,55629.39 100 #FF0000N/AHougang SMC124,560 Workers' Party Yaw Shin Leong 14,85064.8 100 #FF00000.012.06red 29.60% People's Action Party Desmond Choo 8,06535.2 100 #008FDB0.012.06Joo Chiat SMC122,069 People's Action Party Charles Chong 9,66651.02 100 #008FDB0.0113.99blue 2.04% Workers' Party Yee Jenn Jong06NC 9,27848.98 100 #FF00000.0113.99Mountbatten SMC123,731 People's Action Party Lim Biow Chuan 11,98558.62 100 #008FDB0.03N/Ablue 17.24% National Solidarity Party Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss 8,46141.38 100 #FF00000.03N/APioneer SMC125,745 People's Action Party Cedric Foo 14,59360.73 100 #008FDBN/Ablue 21.46% National Solidarity Party Steve Chia 9,43739.27 100 #FF0000N/APotong Pasir SMC117,327 People's Action Party Sitoh Yih Pin 7,99250.36 100 #008FDB6.18blue 0.72% Singapore People's PartyLina Chiam06NC7,87849.64 100 #FF00006.18Punggol East SMC133,281 People's Action Party Michael Palmer 16,994 54.54 100 #008FDB0.01N/Ablue 13.53% Workers' Party Lee Li Lian 12,77741.01 100 #FF00000.01N/A Singapore Democratic Alliance (Loses S$16,000 deposit) Desmond Lim 1,3874.45 100 greyN/ARadin Mas SMC131,014 People's Action Party Sam Tan 18,60967.10 100 #008FDB0.01N/Ablue 34.20% National Solidarity Party Yip Yew Weng 9,12332.90 100 #FF00000.01N/ASengkang West SMC126,882 People's Action Party Lam Pin Min 14,68958.11 100 #008FDB0.03N/Ablue 16.22% Workers' Party Koh Choong Yong10,59141.89 100 #FF00000.03N/AWhampoa SMC121,622 People's Action Party Heng Chee How 13,02866.10 100 #008FDB0.01N/Ablue 32.20% National Solidarity Party Ken Sun 6,68033.90 100 #FF00000.01N/AYuhua SMC123,195 People's Action Party Grace Fu 14,09366.86 100 #008FDB0.01N/Ablue 33.72% Singapore Democratic Party Teo Soh Lung 6,98633.14 100 #FF00000.01N/A By Community Development Council While the PAP scored its lowest vote share in post-independence Singapore, two opposition parties, the NSP and the WP, who have fielded more than 20 candidates, are the only two opposition parties outside PAP to garner at least 12% of the overall popular vote this election, contributing nearly a quarter of the overall contested vote. NSP didn't field any candidates in the North West CDC, and neither WP fielding any in the South West CDC. The top performing region this election was the South West CDC (which also include the top scoring Hong Kah North SMC), followed by the Central Singapore CDC (which had PM Lee's Ang Mo Kio GRC and the sole walkover constituency of Tanjong Pagar GRC). Along with the aforementioned two CDC, North West CDC also had PAP's contested vote shares polling above national average. Comparing WP and NSP's contested vote shares that are common in the three CDCs, WP outperformed NSP in two of them, being in Central and North East CDC, the latter was PAP's low-scoring CDC in this election in addition to WP electing Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC as the only two opposition-held constituencies this election; the South East CDC had NSP prevailing the contested vote despite WP had East Coast GRC and Joo Chiat SMC electing narrowly on both constituencies, as the electorate in Marine Parade GRC is larger than East Coast. The other four parties contributed a combined 15.00% of the overall popular vote, with the Central CDC scoring 23.99% having the higher vote share among the four participating regions in that election (the exception was the South East CDC), followed by Northwest's 23.66%. The Central CDC also contained the constituency with the narrowest result of Potong Pasir SMC. Votes polled CDC PAPWPNSP OthersCentral 62.71% 9.69% 3.61% 23.99%Northeast 55.11% 21.33% 11.61% 11.95%Northwest 61.29% 15.06% 23.66%Southeast 55.72% 20.45% 23.83%Southwest 64.82% 23.62% 11.57%TOTAL 60.14% 12.83% 12.04% 15.00% Seats won CDCSeats PAPWPNSP OthersCentral24 24 0 0 0Northeast18 12 6 0 0Northwest15 15 0 0Southeast12 12 0 0Southwest18 18 0 0TOTAL87 81 6 0 0 Analysis Top 10 best PAP performers 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 % Swing1Hong Kah North SMC18,15670.61NewSingapore People's Party 7,55629.39New2Ang Mo Kio GRC112,67769.33 3.19Reform Party 49,85130.67 3.193Radin Mas SMC18,60967.10NewNational Solidarity Party 9,12332.90New4Jurong GRC76,59566.96WalkoverNational Solidarity Party 37,78633.04Walkover5Yuhua SMC14,09366.86NewSingapore Democratic Party 6,98633.14New6West Coast GRC72,56366.57WalkoverReform Party 36,44333.43Walkover7Bukit Panjang SMC20,37566.27 10.91Singapore Democratic Party 10,37233.73 10.918Whampoa SMC13,02866.10NewNational Solidarity Party 6,68333.90New9Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC100,49364.79 3.91Singapore Democratic Alliance 54,60135.21 3.9110Sembawang GRC84,25263.9 12.8Singapore Democratic Party 47,60536.1 12.8 Top 10 best opposition performers Constituencies with no comparison to 2006 were either due to them being new constituencies or the constituencies experiencing walkovers in the last election. "PESMC" Punggol East SMC is excluded from the table as there were two opposition parties which competed against the incumbent. If the opposition parties for Punggol East SMC were to sum up (WP had 12,765 votes (41.02%) and SDA had 1,386 votes (4.45%)), the opposition won 14,151 votes (45.47%) while PAP had 16,969 votes (54.52%), which would place it fifth in the table below while WP would place on 13th. Constituency Opposition People's Action Party Votes % Swing Votes % Swing1Hougang SMCWorkers' Party14,85064.80 2.108,06535.20 2.102Aljunied GRCWorkers' Party72,28954.72 10.8159,82945.28 10.813Potong Pasir SMCSingapore People's Party7,87849.64 6.187,99250.36 6.184Joo Chiat SMCWorkers' Party9,27848.98 13.999,66651.02 13.995East Coast GRCWorkers' Party49,42945.17 9.0359,99254.83 9.036Marine Parade GRCNational Solidarity Party59,92643.36Walkover78,28656.64Walkover7Bishan–Toa Payoh GRCSingapore People's Party47,20543.07Walkover62,38556.93Walkover8Tampines GRCNational Solidarity Party54,38142.78 11.2972,72857.22 11.299Sengkang West SMCWorkers' Party10,59141.89New14,68958.11New10Nee Soon GRCWorkers' Party57,52341.60New80,74058.40New Top 10 Vote Swings Only the following constituencies may be compared with 2006 results as they existed in both elections, although most had changes in their electoral boundaries."JBGRC" If Moulmein-Kallang GRC is considered an existing constituency due to the renaming of Jalan Besar GRC, the results would see a 10.71% swing, which would have placed it sixth in the table. Constituency People's Action Party Opposition 2006 % 2011 % Swing Party 2006 % 2011 % Swing1Joo Chiat SMC 63.01% 51.02% 13.99% Workers' Party 34.99% 48.98% 13.99%2 Sembawang GRC 76.70%63.90% 12.80% Singapore Democratic Party 23.30%36.10% 12.80%3Tampines GRC 68.51%57.22% 11.29% National Solidarity Party 31.49%42.78% 11.29%4Bukit Panjang SMC 77.18%66.27% 10.91% Singapore Democratic Party 22.82%33.73% 10.91%5Aljunied GRC 56.09%45.28% 10.81% Workers' Party 43.91%54.72% 10.81%6East Coast GRC 63.86%54.83% 9.03% Workers' Party 36.14%45.17% 9.03%7Potong Pasir SMC 55.82%50.36% 6.18% Singapore People's Party 55.82%49.64% 6.18%8Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC 68.70%64.79% 3.91% Singapore Democratic Alliance 31.30%35.21% 3.91%9Ang Mo Kio GRC 66.14% 69.33% 3.19% Reform Party 33.86%30.87% 3.19%10Hougang SMC 37.26%35.20% 2.06% Workers' Party 62.74%64.80% 2.06% Interpretive maps none|thumb|500px|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 Ruling party's immediate reactions The PAP's secretary-general, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, described the results as delivering his party a "clear mandate to form the next government".81-6: Workers' Party wins Aljunied GRC; PAP vote share dips to 60.1% Ibrahim Zuraidah 8 May 2011 Sunday Times 1 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".Pledge to serve responsibly and humbly 8 May 2011 Sunday Times 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".http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081842/1/GE-We-hear-all-your-voices-says-PM-Lee GE "We hear all your voices", says PM Lee – General Election 2011 Rajaram Chitra 8 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 9 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110510063628/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081842/1/GE-We-hear-all-your-voices-says-PM-Lee 10 May 2011 dead 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.SM Goh: The tide was very strong Chow Jermyn 9 May 2011 Straits Times A6 The third cabinet was announced two weeks later where extensive changes were made to the cabinet, and several ministers announcing stepping down from the cabinet, including Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam succeeded Wong as the new DPM, with existing DPM Teo Chee Hean named the new successor to the Coordinating Minister for National Security. Two new MPs were given cabinet portfolios, with Chan Chun Sing given the acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Heng Swee Keat as the Minister for Education, making Heng only the second MP to be ascended directly to cabinet minister, after Richard Hu.GE2025: DPM Heng Swee Keat retires after 15 years in politics, says it has been a 'great honour' https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-heng-swee-keat-retire-politics-pap-lawrence-wong-tribute-5083561 www.channelnewsasia.com 28 June 2025 It was also announced that Michael Palmer would be named the new Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, replacing outgoing speaker Abdullah Tarmugi. Opposition parties' immediate reactions The Workers Party's secretary-general Low Thia Khiang said his team's win in Aljunied was "historic" and meant that voters had "accepted the WP as a rational, responsible and respected party".Voters back WP's style of politics, says Low Kor Kian Beng Chong, Zi Liang 9 May 2011 Straits Times 1 In his victory speech, Low declared his win as a "political landmark in modern Singapore".Victory for Low, defeat for Chiam Ibrahim Zuraidah 8 May 2011 Sunday Times 4http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081845/1/GE-Aljunied-win-a-political-landmark-says-WPs-Low GE: Aljunied win a political landmark, says WP's Low 8 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 9 May 2011 10 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110510064656/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081845/1/GE-Aljunied-win-a-political-landmark-says-WPs-Low dead He added that it meant the electorate wanted to tell the PAP to be "a more responsive, inclusive, transparent and accountable government”. 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."http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4821-thank-you Thank you 8 May 2011 Singapore Democratic Party 9 May 2011 9 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110509025227/http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4821-thank-you dead 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."Saad Imelda 8 May 2011 Opposition parties reflect on post-election results http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081847/1/GE-Opposition-parties-reflect-on-postelection-results dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110511135133/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081847/1/GE-Opposition-parties-reflect-on-postelection-results 11 May 2011 9 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 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.http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4822-democrats-start-preparation-for-next-ge Democrats start preparation for next GE 9 May 2011 Singapore Democratic Party 9 May 2011 10 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110510112257/http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4822-democrats-start-preparation-for-next-ge dead 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.https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/10/singapore-election-democracy-new-media Singapore is taking the first steps to true democracy Chee Soon Juan 10 May 2011 The Guardian 13 May 2011 14 April 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190414111900/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/10/singapore-election-democracy-new-media live 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.Choo Evelyn 8 May 2011 GE: We'll win Potong Pasir back http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081859/1/GE-Well-win-Potong-Pasir-back dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110509192712/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081859/1/GE-Well-win-Potong-Pasir-back 9 May 2011 9 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 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.http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110509-0000527/I-think-there-is-some-funny-business-going-on,-says-Chiam I think there is some funny business going on, says Chiam Ng Jing Ying 9 May 2011 TODAYonline 9 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110510140042/http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110509-0000527/I-think-there-is-some-funny-business-going-on,-says-Chiam 10 May 2011 dead 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. Its star candidate, Nicole Seah, said Singaporeans now had to unite as a country.http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081846/1/GE-Nicole-Seah-urges-Singaporeans-to-come-together-as-one-country GE: Nicole Seah urges Singaporeans to come together as one country 8 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 9 May 2011 11 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110511135129/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081846/1/GE-Nicole-Seah-urges-Singaporeans-to-come-together-as-one-country dead 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.http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081860/1/GE-NSPs-Nicole-Seah-continues-her-visits-in-Marine-Parade-GRC GE: NSP's Nicole Seah continues her visits in Marine Parade GRC Kelly Rachel 8 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 9 May 2011 9 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110509184333/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081860/1/GE-NSPs-Nicole-Seah-continues-her-visits-in-Marine-Parade-GRC dead On 26 June, Goh announced his resignation from the party.NSP's Goh Meng Seng to leave party https://sg.news.yahoo.com/nsp%E2%80%99s-goh-meng-seng-to-leave-party.html 28 June 2020 sg.news.yahoo.com 24 November 2011 en-SG 20 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200920180253/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/nsp%E2%80%99s-goh-meng-seng-to-leave-party.html live26 June 2011 It's time to move on - Goh Meng Seng (with updates of NSP's new CEC) https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2011/06/26/its-time-to-move-on-goh-meng-seng/ 28 June 2020 The Online Citizen en-GB 20 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200920180251/https://www.onlinecitizenasia.com/2011/06/26/its-time-to-move-on-goh-meng-seng/ live 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, 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".9 May 2011 Reform Party thanks its supporters http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081861/1/GE-Reform-Party-thanks-its-supporters https://web.archive.org/web/20110509185317/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081861/1/GE-Reform-Party-thanks-its-supporters 9 May 2011 9 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia 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 sole three-cornered contest), being the only candidate to lost his S$16,000 election deposit this election. 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.Abdul Khamid Hetty Musfirah 8 May 2011 GE: We'll be back, says SDA's Desmond Lim http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081843/1/GE-Well-be-back-says-SDAs-Desmond-Lim dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110510070041/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081843/1/GE-Well-be-back-says-SDAs-Desmond-Lim 10 May 2011 9 May 2011 Channel NewsAsia Foreign reactions 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,Asean leaders saddened by George Yeo's exit: Jaya Nazeer Zubaidah 9 May 2011 Straits Times A5 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.http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=584923 BERNAMA – PAP's Victory Favourable To Malaysia-Singapore Ties Yahya Ahmad Fuad 8 May 2011 Bernama 10 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120531115432/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=584923 31 May 2012 dead The BBC described it as a landmark result.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13313695 Opposition gain in Singapore poll 9 May 2011 BBC News 10 April 2020 en-GB Non-Constituency Member of Parliament offers Three Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP) seats were offered after the election to the top three losing opposition candidates, all of which were confirmed on 16 May.http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_669273.html Three NCMPs formally announced The Straits Times 16 May 2011 16 May 2011 Kor, Kian Beng https://web.archive.org/web/20110518144209/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_669273.html 18 May 2011 dead dmy-all . The Singapore People's Party accepted the seat for Lina Loh, 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. Loh 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.http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/lina-chiam-takes-ncmp-seat-110217866.html Lina Chiam takes up NCMP seat SingaporeScene – Yahoo! News Moktar Faris 12 May 2011 Yahoo! 15 May 2011 The Workers' Party was offered the final two NCMP seats for having the second and third best performing losing candidates, which it accepted despite 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. Tan resigned from the party, citing his disagreement with the appointment.http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081881/1/Workers-Partys-Eric-Tan-quits-because Workers' Party's Eric Tan quits because... – General Election 2011 Fong Tanya 13 May 2011 Today 13 May 2011 16 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110516064914/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081881/1/Workers-Partys-Eric-Tan-quits-because dead The decision for the NCMP later become a flashpoint topic in the 2012 Hougang by-election took place one year later after information containing details of the CEC's decision was leaked online; it was revealed where the CEC conducted a secret ballot to decide the NCMP, where Giam was chosen as NCMP with seven votes, while Tan received five, and Png Eng Huat, the eventual MP-elect for Hougang, received with one despite him being opposed of the NCMP scheme. The WP apologized to the media following the leak and acknowledged the incident, but decide not to proceed further.Newspaper - 23 May 2012 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/issue/straitstimes20120523-1 21 September 2026 By-elections 2012 Hougang by-election 2013 Punggol East by-election During the parliamentary term following this election, two seats fell vacant throughout 2012 after the MPs resigned following allegations about extramarital affairs. The first was Hougang SMC MP Yaw Shin Leong on 14 February,Yaw Shin Leong's Parliament seat to be decided Feb 24 17 February 2012 Channel NewsAsia http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1183590/1/.html 22 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120430191736/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1183590/1/.html 30 April 2012 dead and the other was Speaker and Punggol East SMC MP Michael Palmer on 12 December.SMSes expose Michael Palmer's affair http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121213-389445.html The New Paper 13 November 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131113182430/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121213-389445.html 13 November 2013 dead This were the first two by-elections to be called in nearly two decades after the 1992 Marine Parade by-election. In the ensuing by-elections, former East Coast GRC WP candidate Png Eng Huat and two-time Punggol East SMC WP candidate Lee Li Lian respectively won those by-elections. Consequently, it was also the second time where a seat changed hands to the opposition after 1981.I respect the choice of Punggol East voters: PM Lee The Straits Times 26 January 2013 https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/i-respect-the-choice-of-punggol-east-voters-pm-lee 5 September 2020 Cheam Jessica Punggol East by-election: Statement of PM Lee Hsien Loong The Straits Times 26 January 2013 https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/punggol-east-by-election-statement-of-pm-lee-hsien-loong 5 September 2020Low: Don't take by-election result as sign of future trend The Straits Times 27 January 2013 https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/low-dont-take-by-election-result-as-sign-of-future-trend 5 September 2020 Exit poll On 3 September, Joseph Ong Chor Teck was arrested for conducting exit poll through Temasek Review, a socio-political website, ahead of the election. It was announced that Ong was released on bail pending further investigations as of 17 October. Conducting exit polls during the election period between the time where the writ of election is issued and election day is an offence under the Parliamentary Election Act, with penalties of a maximum S$1,500 fine or up to a year's imprisonment or both.Shafeeq Syarafana Public reminded to avoid publishing, reposting election surveys, ads: ELD https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/public-reminded-to-avoid-publishing-reposting-election-surveys-ads-eld The Straits Times 6 July 2024 en 22 August 2023REMINDER ON LAWS ON ONLINE ELECTION ADVERTISING, ELECTION SURVEYS AND EXIT POLLS https://www.eld.gov.sg/press/2023/PR%20on%20Laws%20on%20Online%20Election%20Advertising,%20Election%20Surveys%20and%20Exit%20Polls.pdf 6 July 2024https://mothership.sg/2020/06/exit-polls-election-surveys-ge2020/ Here's why you will never see exit poll & election survey results even though it's GE2020 Joshua Lee 25 June 2020 MothershipSingapore arrests man for conducting election exit poll - Taipei Times https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2011/10/17/2003515986 www.taipeitimes.com 28 June 2025 17 October 2011Man linked to Temasek Review arrested, now on bail https://sg.news.yahoo.com/man-linked-to-temasek-review-arrested--now-on-bail.html Yahoo News 28 June 2025 en-SG Reactions Rise and use of social media The election saw wider use of the internet and social media compared to 2006. Many turned to online platforms to bypass mass media in Singapore, which was seen as heavily favouring the ruling PAP. There was a public perception that major state-owned newspapers and broadcasters supported the party's stance and that the electoral system placed opposition parties at a disadvantage. Alternative media was limited until the 2000s, when news sites, blogs and social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter emerged. These gained some influence by 2006 and became especially prominent after 2011.Fang Charlene Why this Singapore General Election is important http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/tell-me-about-it/charlene-fang-why-singapore-general-election-important-447421 7 August 2011 CNNGo 7 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110809195526/http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/tell-me-about-it/charlene-fang-why-singapore-general-election-important-447421 9 August 2011 dead 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 British magazine 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. One blogger from CNN claimed, "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." 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". Reactions to Aljunied GRC's result Traditionally regarded as one of the PAP "fortresses", this marked the first instance where the opposition captured a GRC since the scheme was formed in 1988, five elections prior, where the oppositions had unsuccessfully done so due to ostensible requirements of ensuring minority representation in parliament and extensive resources. GRCs comprised about 86% of the seats, but oppositions in previous elections would only 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 traditional SMC safe seats. With the PAP's team defeated in Aljunied GRC, four of the five members, including Foreign Minister 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.http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666950.html George Yeo exiting politics, will not run for Presidency Li Xueying 11 May 2011 Straits Times 13 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110513060832/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666950.html 13 May 2011 deadhttp://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667375.html Lim Hwee Hua will not contest next election 11 May 2011 Straits Times 13 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110512191013/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667375.html 12 May 2011 dead 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."Ong Dai Lin I'm disappointed, but this is politics, says George Yeo http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110511-0000297/Im-disappointed,-but-this-is-politics,-says-George-Yeo 7 August 2011 Today (Singapore newspaper) 11 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110808160117/http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110511-0000297/Im-disappointed,-but-this-is-politics,-says-George-Yeo 8 August 2011 dead A fifth candidate, Ong Ye Kung, however, would continue to work in private sector and would later join their team in Sembawang GRC in the next election.About Ong Ye Kung https://www.facebook.com/ongyekung/info?tab=page_info facebook 23 September 2015 20 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200920171900/https://www.facebook.com/ongyekung/info?tab=page_info liveOng Ye Kung's page on the PAP website https://web.archive.org/web/20110812142310/http://www.pap.org.sg/uploads/ap/7972/documents/ong_ye_kung_cv.pdf 12 August 2011 says he was 42 in 2011, so it is deduced that he was born around 1969 or 1970.PAP reveals Sembawang GRC line-up, includes former Aljunied GRC candidate Ong Ye Kung https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/pap-reveals-sembawang-grc-line-up-includes-former-aljunied-grc-candidate-ong-ye-kung The Straits Times 23 March 2025 enNever one to take things for granted https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/never-one-take-things-granted-5820576 CNA 10 May 2026 en Signals to the ruling party 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. 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."http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_668597.html MM Lee, SM Goh to retire from Cabinet Chang Rachel 14 May 2011 Straits Times 14 May 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110516065503/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_668597.html 16 May 2011 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".Adam Shamim Lee Kuan Yew Ends Five-Decade Role in Singapore Cabinet After Poll Setback https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-15/singapore-ruling-party-seeks-to-renew-image-with-lee-kuan-yew-resignation.html 7 August 2011 Bloomberg 15 May 2011 Analysts such as Citigroup economist Kit Wei Zheng believed that Lee had somewhat contributed to the PAP's lackluster performance in a local context.https://time.com/3748684/lee-kuan-yew-obituary/ 'Father of Singapore' Lee Kuan Yew Dies at 91 Time en 10 April 2020 11 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191211174249/https://time.com/3748684/lee-kuan-yew-obituary/ live 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". Singapore Management University (SMU) professor Eugene Tan said that "[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.Eugene Tan Eugene Tan SINGAPORE: Transitioning to a "New Normal" in a Post-Lee Kuan Yew Era Southeast Asian Affairs 2012 265–282 https://www.jstor.org/stable/41713999 31 October 2025 ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute 0377-5437 With the vacation of the Senior Minister roles, the role remained vacant for the next eight years until on 1 May 2019 following Heng Swee Keat's ascension of Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. Goh was also conferred the title of "Emeritus Senior Minister".Cabinet reshuffle: Heng Swee Keat to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister; DPMs Teo Chee Hean and Tharman to become Senior Ministers https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/heng-swee-keat-to-be-appointed-deputy-prime-minister-dpms-teo-chee-hean-and-tharman The Straits Times 28 June 2025 en 23 April 2019 See also Elections in Singapore Constituencies of Singapore List of Singaporean electoral divisions List of political parties in Singapore 2011 Singaporean presidential election - second national election held three months after the election 2012 Hougang by-election and 2013 Punggol East by-election – two by-elections held after the election Notes References Word cited Hedges Jason Royal Military College of Australia 1911–2011: Celebrating 100 Years at Duntroon 2012 Big Sky Publishing Newport 978-1-921941-47-4 External links Official elections webpage – Elections Department Singapore News about the General Election by MediaCorp https://web.archive.org/web/20110501050348/http://www.ge.sg/ 1 May 2011 Other official information Parliamentary Elections Act https://web.archive.org/web/20080418015128/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-218&doctitle=PARLIAMENTARY%20ELECTIONS%20ACT%0A 18 April 2008 Singapore Statutes Online, Chapter 218 Singapore General General Category:General elections in Singapore