After a 10-year break, residents of Tampines will be voting in a General Election, with the Singapore Democratic Alliance and the People's Action Party going all out to woo locals in what is gearing up to be a tough fight.

Located in the east of the island, Tampines, Singapore's first regional town, has seen its number of voters almost double to 125,432 in the last 13 years.

And here to drum up support is the National Solidarity Party, a member of the SDA and no stranger to the Tampines battleground.

The party contested there in 1988 and 1991, garnering 39 percent and 40.5 percent of the vote.

One of five members of the SDA team is newcomer Foo Kok Wah, a 30-year-old business development manager.

"We have been working the ground for the past three, four years. From the suggestions given by the residents of Tampines, we do have many policies that we would like to implement if we're sent in," Mr Foo said.

"The feedback from residents is going to help us enhance their living lifestyle," he said.

Even though the ward was a walkover for the PAP in 1997, the party isn't taking any chances.

"My concern right now is the lower-skilled singles because they face severe problems because of their vulnerable situation," said new PAP candidate Irene Ng, a 37-year-old former journalist.

"If I'm elected, I would speak up for them because they lack a voice; I would make sure that there's a network for them to give them support," she said.

Locals say they are listening to both sides before making up their minds.

"Currently the issues of economy and employment are still a concern in this area. So whichever party can come out with a better solution and able to tackle these problems for the people I think they stand a better chance," one man said.

"We're still not very familiar with the opposition's background. If they can contribute to the residents here, maybe we can consider supporting them," a woman said.

SDA candidate Yip Yew Weng, a 50-year-old a consultant, said, "All the while this ward has been run by the PAP candidates, I think it's time for voters to think about whether to vote more opposition MPs … into Parliament to represent a different voice."

But National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, who is anchoring the PAP team in Tampines, points to the party's achievements in the ward.

"We are putting that track record on the table and we're also going to promise the residents that if you like what we have done and if you support us as you have done over the last 13 years we're going to do more of the same for you," Mr Mah said.

As the clock counts down to November 3, residents in Tampines will have to decide whether to vote for a track record or for change.