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Singapore's parliament was today dissolved, clearing way for a snap general election next month in which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's ruling party's 50 years of political dominance will be tested by voters amid growing immigration worries and a high cost of living.
President Tony Tan Keng Yam, on the advice of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, dissolved the 12th Parliament today.
The People's Action Party (PAP), which has ruled for more than 50 years, is widely expected to retain its overwhelming majority in the 89-seat parliament owing to a divided opposition; it holds 80 out of 87 seats.
The prime minister, who had until January 2017 to hold an election, has also sought support in a televised address.
But the party, whose founder and Singapore's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, died in March aged 91, is likely to be under pressure as citizens resent an increasing influx of foreigners and a high cost of living.
"I called this general election to seek your mandate to take Singapore beyond SG50 (50 years of Independence), into its next half century," Lee said on his Facebook page.
"You will be deciding who will govern Singapore for the next five years. More than that, you will be choosing the team to work with you for the next 15-20 years, and setting the direction for Singapore for the next 50 years," the 63-year- old prime minister said.
Lee's PAP is expected to contest all 89 seats, as it has done for many decades. This would be the third time that Lee would be leading PAP in the general elections.
Voting is compulsory in the prosperous city-state, also a leading business hub.
The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee has drawn 89 seats from Singapore's 29 constituencies.
An estimated 2.46 million eligible voters will vote on September 11, up from 2.35 million in 2011. Nomination Day for people to contest in the GE is set on September 1.
Opposition political parties are also expected to contest all the 89 seats in the GE, which, according to The Straits Times, was happening for the first time since 1963.
The opposition parties have met twice recently to work out seat contesting arrangement and avoid multi-cornered contests.
But this does not prevent independent contestants.
The Workers' Party (WP) is expected to nominate 28 contestants, the largest number, up from 23 fielded in 2011 when six of its members were elected to parliament.
On his Facebook page he added, "What we have achieved together in Singapore is special. Here many races live in peace, and many from humble homes make good. We will surely meet challenges ahead, but whatever the world throws at us, as one people, we will overcome.
"If you are proud of what we have achieved together, and support what we want to do for our future, please support me and my team. We have to do it with you, in order to do it for you, and for Singapore," added Lee on his Facebook page.
"Together, we can keep Singapore special for many years to come.
