The results of the General Election 2011 are out – PAP has been returned to power with 81 out of 87 parliamentart seats. Workers’ Party has done extremely well by not only retaining their Hougang SMC, but have managed to capture the Aljunied GRC as well.
What will the next Parliament look like? It will comprise 81 elected MPs from PAP, 6 elected MPs from the Workers’ Party, 2 NCMPs from the Workers’ Party, 1 NCMP from the SPP, and 9 NMPs, assuming both the Workers’ Party and SPP accept the NCMP seats.
Like many other Singaporeans, I stayed till past 3 am this morning to hear the charismatic Returning Officer announce the results of each and every contested constituency in the General Election.
Reams of post-election analysis and opinions have already been churned out and more will follow, so I’ll just share just 5 statements which I feel characterise the outcome of this election.
Perhaps a year from now when the dust has settled, and you’re looking for a concise summary of what General Election 2011 was like, the five statements will paint a quick characterisation of what transpired.
Feel free to let me know if you think some other statement should be included in lieu of any of the following list:
People's Action Party (PAP)
1. It is an election that the ruling PAP would rather forget
The PAP brought in 60.1% of the overall vote – the lowest since independence in 1965. It is also 6.5% lower than the previous 66.6% in 2006.
Workers' Party (WP)
Many see the GRC system as a scheme that makes it difficult for the Opposition to win because of their previous inability to produce enough nominees of adequate quality and racial composition.
Many also believe it allowed strong anchor PAP ministers to parachute in new PAP candidates, and to some extent, assure any senior but unpopular PAP ministers of reelection.
3. The electorate prefer a more compassionate approach rather than an arrogant attitude.
National Solidarity Party (NSP)
Passionate, heartful campaigning epitomised by the youngest candidate Nicole Seah from the NSP overshadows the traditional intellectual, above-it-all, know-it-all, we-know-what’s-best-for-you attitude of the ruling party. This made Seah the media darling and champion of the underprivileged who fell-through-the-cracks.
It also forced the ruling party to switch from a be-careful-of-your-property-and-asset-value stance at the beginning of the campaign to a so-sorry-we-did-make-some-mistakes-and-we’ll-try-better positioning for the second half of the hustings.
4. All-or-nothing gambit failed for veteran Chiam See Tong
Singapore People's Party (SPP)
While Workers’ Party Low Thia Khiang pulled off his gamble of venturing out from his Hougang SMC and vying for the Aljunied GRC, the same gamble by well-loved SPP Chiam See Tong to move out of Potong Pasir and move for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC failed.
Workers’ Party emerged as the strongest Opposition party whose overall campaign results and party discipline has greatly strengthened the party’s brand name to be an asset to its members in future elections.
Reform Party (RP)
5. Coming of age for social media and a new generation of young voters
The proliferation of social media, coupled with the political awareness of a new generation of young voters has fueled an increased assertiveness of the electorate.
The Internet provided extensive coverage of Opposition campaigning and served as an avenue for opposition supporters to express and share their political views and opinions.
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)
Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA)
It is a much sought after alternative for traditional local mainstream media which is perceived by many to be biased against the Opposition in their coverage.
Tags: General Election 2011