GE quick takes: Lee Hsien Yang joins PSP; PAP introduces new candidates

SINGAPORE will go to the polls on July 10 in an election that will see 93 seats in 31 constituencies up for contest.

Here is Wednesday's round-up of stories about the General Election:

Elections Department issues guidelines on safe campaigning, political broadcasts

A new constituency political broadcast has been added to the two party political broadcasts to allow political candidates from Single Member Constituencies (SMC) or smaller political parties to reach out to voters, in place of physical rallies. The constituency political broadcasts are scheduled to be held from July 3 to July 7, from 7pm, on MediaCorp's Channel 5.

Lee Hsien Yang joins Progress Singapore Party

Lee Hsien Yang, the younger brother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, was officially unveiled as a member of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) after months of speculation that he could join the ranks of the new opposition party led by former People's Action Party (PAP) politician Tan Cheng Bock.

PAP introduces first slate of four new candidates

The PAP's first slate of four new candidates comprise Timbre Group's Edward Chia, former civil servant Desmond Tan, Keppel Offshore & Marine's Ivan Lim and TSMP Law Corp's Nadia Ahmad Samdin.

SMEs, low-wage workers among concerns of 2nd batch of new PAP candidates

Small and medium enterprises, sustainability, low-wage workers, and the elderly are among the concerns of the second batch of new PAP candidates unveiled. These new candidates personify the spirit of lifelong learning, said PAP vice-chairman Masagos Zulkifli.

No more three-cornered fight in West Coast as Reform Party backs out

The Reform Party announced that it will no longer contest West Coast GRC, avoiding what was set to be a three-cornered fight with the PAP and PSP. Barely a day into the 17-day election period, RP secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam said his party has withdrawn from contesting the group representation constituency after "long talks" with Dr Tan.

PSP set to field 24 candidates in nine constituencies

The PSP is set to contest nine constituencies, fielding 24 candidates instead of the 44 it announced initially. The party had subsequently trimmed the list to 29, saying it was giving up some seats after discussions with other opposition parties.

Opposition parties say ready to do battle in coming polls

There was little surprise or objection to the timing of the GE from opposition parties, who said they are ready to do battle. Many parties, in fact, have already begun their preparations and were quick to respond when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the election on Tuesday.

Singapore goes to polls on July 10 in an election 'like no other'

It remains to be seen if this would be the second election since independence with all seats being contested, following the last GE in 2015 when the ruling PAP secured 69.9 per cent of the popular vote.

The election deposit has been set at S$13,500 per candidate, down from S$14,500 in 2015, with payment to be made before noon on Nomination Day.

For more of our Singapore GE2020 coverage, go to bt.sg/ge2020.