Singapore’s President dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, triggering a general election in which the ruling party will seek to extend its sixth decade in power.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong advised President S .R. Nathan to dissolve the legislature. Mr. Lee’s People’s Action Party has been in power since 1959 and is expected to maintain a strong majority in the new polls. His supporters controlled 82 of the 84 seats in the outgoing Parliament.
A small but feisty opposition will likely challenge the PAP in most voting districts, seeking to capitalize on voter discontent with soaring housing costs and a surge in foreign workers. In past elections, many PAP candidates ran unopposed.
But opposition candidates will face several hurdles to get their message heard. Public speech about race, religion and politics is closely controlled in Singapore and outdoor demonstrations require police permission and are allowed at only one park. The official campaign is just 10 days and television advertising is banned.
Voting will take place on May 7. Political parties must announce which districts candidates will compete in on April 27.
Lee Kuan Yew, who was prime minister from 1959 to 1990 and is the father of the current prime minister, plans to run for a seat again to maintain his Cabinet position of Minister Mentor. He first won his Tanjong Pagar district in 1955.
curtsy-The Hindu
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