192 candidates file papers to contest in all 93 seats in the Singapore Parliament.

Nomination Day saw a total of 192 candidates file papers

For the second general election in a row, there will be contests in all seats, of which there are 93 this time.

Nomination Day yesterday saw a total of 192 candidates file papers to contest every seat in 17 group representation constituencies (GrCs) and 14 single-member constituencies (SMCs). With no walkovers, it means all 2.65 million eligible voters will soon receive polling cards to let them vote on July 10.

The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) is the only party with candidates contesting every seat.

Though the day was missing some of the atmosphere of previous Nomination Days, as no crowds were allowed to gather on account of safe distancing rules, there was

I never have a numerical target for an election. We go in, we give it our all, we fight for every vote.

still some drama and surprises.

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has moved from his Tampines stronghold to anchor the PAP team in East Coast GrC, answering one of the biggest question marks leading up to

Nomination Day.

He replaces former Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say, who is retiring from politics.

Heng’s team is likely to see a keen battle against the Workers’ Party (WP), which won 45.2% of the vote in the 2011 General Election and 39.3% in 2015.

Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee moved from Jurong GrC to shore up the PAP team in West Coast GrC, helmed by Minister for Communications and Information S. Iswaran.

They will go head to head against the Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) “A” team led by former PAP stalwart Tan Cheng Bock, whose former Ayer rajah ward is now part of West Coast GrC. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the PAP will fight for every vote. “Every constituency is contested, so this is not a by-election. It’s a general election for the most important issues concerning the country at the moment of crisis. And I think everybody needs to understand that, everybody must have that in mind when they assess the votes,” he said at the nomination centre at Deyi Secondary School.

Asked if he had a target in mind for the polls, PM Lee said he did not. “I never have a numerical target for an election. We go in, we give it our all, we fight for every vote. And when you open the ballot boxes, you will know how the voters have decided,” he added.

Lee Hsien Loong