GE quick takes: NSP campaigns to stop GST hike; Potong Pasir candidates unveil plans

SINGAPORE will go to the polls on July 10 in an election that will see all 93 seats in 31 constituencies contested.

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

IMDA announces time allocations for party political broadcasts

The Infocomm Media Development Authority has announced the allocated airtime on free-to-air radio and television for party political broadcasts (PPBs) and constituency political broadcasts (CPBs) during the campaigning period.

There will be two time slots for PPBs that will air across 19 TV and radio channels: July 2 from 8pm, and July 9 from 8pm.

CPBs are special, one-off arrangements for this election, in view of the Covid-19 situation, to give political parties and candidates more airtime to put their messages out to voters. They will air on Mediacorp's Channel 5 from July 3 to 8, from 7pm.

Automatic recount if difference in votes is 2% or less; special voting hour for those serving stay-home notice

There will be an automatic recount if the difference in the number of votes between the top candidate and any other candidate is 2 per cent or less. This means that there is no need for candidates or counting agents to apply for a recount, unlike in previous elections.

The Elections Department also released details of special voting arrangements to ensure the health and safety of voters, in view of the Covid-19 outbreak. A special voting hour between 7pm and 8pm will be allocated on polling day for Singaporeans under the Covid-19 stay-home notice, those on medical certificate for acute respiratory infection and those with fever.

Investor confidence in Singapore's government fundamental to economic success: PM Lee

Foreign investors know and trust Singapore's government and its ability to command popular support, which has kept them confident in the country even amid the Covid-19 crisis, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday, the second day of campaigning.

Potong Pasir candidates announce their five-year plans for town

Candidates contesting Potong Pasir SMC on Wednesday rolled out their plans for the constituency. Sitoh Yih Pin of the People's Action Party (PAP) promised a polyclinic and an activity hub for residents within the next five years, and vowed to deliver programmes such as digital-skills upgrading for the middle-aged and senior residents.

The Singapore People's Party's Jose Raymond is promising to set up a community geriatric programme to improve access to mental health and disability support for residents. He also said if elected, he will conduct a town audit with seniors and the physically disabled to identify physical hazards, and set up a recyclables collection service.

National Solidarity Party unveils manifesto, joins other opposition parties in calling for GST hike to be scrapped

The National Solidarity Party (NSP) has announced its party manifesto for GE2020, calling for the upcoming goods and services tax (GST) hike to be scrapped and for retrenched workers or those in need to be allowed to make temporary withdrawals from their Central Provident Fund Ordinary Account.

The manifesto said that the government should look for alternative sources of revenue instead of raising the GST, which is slated to rise from 7 per cent to 9 per cent between 2022 and 2025.

PSP 'half-hearted' about contesting Nee Soon GRC, says Shanmugam

The opposition attempt on Nee Soon GRC this election seems to be a "half-hearted" one, said PAP incumbent K Shanmugam. The Law and Home Affairs Minister said of his opponents, the Progress Singapore Party (PSP): "I don't want to speculate why PSP has come, but it seems to have been very half-hearted about it. As you will recall, a week ago it was offering to trade Nee Soon for some other constituency."

PAP's Murali criticises 'scurrilous' post targeting his family

PAP candidate Murali Pillai has hit out against a "scurrilous attack" on his family through a post about his son, which he linked to the announcement of his standing for re-election. Mr Murali, who was elected into Parliament in 2016, said the post surfaced "minutes after election has been declared in Bukit Batok SMC".

DPM Heng in surprise switch as battle lines are drawn for all 93 seats

A change in scene for Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and a historic three-cornered fight in a group representation constituency were among the surprises on Nomination Day, as contests were confirmed for all 93 seats in 31 constituencies for the upcoming election.

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