GE2015: On the ground (Sept 3)
SINGAPORE — With a record 181 candidates vying for 89 seats in Parliament, Singapore has entered what will be its most intensely fought elections ever. Here are updates on what's happening on the ground.
10pm: English-language party political broadcasts begin
Full transcripts of the broadcasts are available here.
7.10pm: Rallies begin
Follow the live updates of the Workers' Party rally here and the People's Action Party rally in East Coast GRC here.
For photos of the Singapore Democratic Party, the Singaporeans First party and independent candidate Han Hui Hui's rallies, click here.
6.30pm: Preparations for rallies underway
There will be six rallies held at various designated sites this evening and preparations are ongoing. Rallies are streamed live here.
People's Action Party volunteers helping set up for the party's rally at Bedok Stadium. Photos: Daryl Kang
Singapore Democratic Party setting up for its rally at Choa Chu Kang stadium. Photo: Louisa Tang
Independent candidate Han Hui Hui at the Delta hockey pitch before the start of her rally. Photo: Raj Nadarajan
Singaporeans First party has said it will be having a sign language interpreter
Volunteers of Singaporeans First put up a banner before the party's first rally begins. Photo: Ernest Chua
5.30pm: Rallies for tomorrow announced
The National Solidarity Party, Reform Party and Singapore People's Party will be holding their first rallies tomorrow.
2pm: Manifestos released
Blogger Ravi Philemon, who will contest Hong Kah North SMC for the Singapore People's Party, has released his manifesto, promising to serve residents whether he's elected or not.
11am: PAP and WP continue to trade barbs over AHPETC
The Workers' Party is proposing a “ phased rollout” of a national minimum wage starting at S$1,000 a month, that will be increased gradually over a period “of a few years” to S$1,250.
WP chairman Sylvia Lim also said the party will be speaking on broader national issues in the coming elections, adding that it does not intend for the town council issue to bog down its electoral campaign.
The Workers' Party's Gerald Giam talks about the need for Minimum Wage in Singapore.
The Workers' Party's Gerald Giam on residents' concerns and running a town council.
Videos: Kelly Ng
Meanwhile Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam hits out at The Workers' Party regarding their financial management of Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council.
Video: Siau Ming En/TODAY
In a Facebook post, ESM Goh Chok Tong responded to WP candidate and NCMP Yee Jenn Jong's rally speech yesterday. Borrowing the fable of the rooster used by ESM Goh last week — to dismiss the Opposition’s claims that its showing in the 2011 General Election contributed to policy shifts — Mr Yee said if the WP is indeed a rooster, it crows when the sun is out not to take credit, but to wake up the sleeping People’s Action Party (PAP) government.
8.30am: Campaigning begins
Over at Whampoa market, the Workers' Party (WP) Jalan Besar team began their campaign walkabout accompanied by party leaders Png Eng Huat and Sylvia Lim. The team contesting for East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) is also conducting their walkabout at a market in New Upper Changi Rd, accompanied by party chief Low Thia Khiang.
Photos: Ng Jing Yng, Kelly Ng
PAP candidates including Mr Lawrence Wong are out and about at Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, while PAP's Nee Soon GRC team launches its local manifesto that lists developments for the area over next 5 years. Meanwhile PM Lee Hsien Loong was at Ang Mo Kio MRT station joining in on the campaign action.
Photos: Tang Chee Seng, Siau Ming En
The Singaporeans First Party contesting in Jurong GRC reaching out to residents.
Photos: Alfred Chua
More Kevryn Lim campaign materials were also spotted on NSP's campaign trail:
Photos: Hon Jing Yi
Our reporters on the ground will be tweeting the latest happenings. They are on Twitter at: Hon Jing Yi ( @honjingyi), Valerie Koh ( @valeriekohsf), Amanda Lee ( @_leeamanda), Ng Jing Yng ( @jingyngtoday), Siau Ming En ( @mingentoday), Tang Chee Seng ( @tcs0202).
