Singaporeans want it slow and steady when voting for opposition

There was surprise, anger and a lot of disappointment.

- Tham Yuen-C

Such was the despondent mood in the opposition camp on May 3 when the results of the 2025 General Election were released and the PAP romped home with a victory of 65.57 per cent of votes.

That the smaller opposition players did not gain any ground is as much a given as the PAP forming the Government.

But this time, the defeat was more abject, with a total of 27 candidates from the National Solidarity Party (NSP), People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), People's Power Party (PPP) and Singapore United Party polling below 12.5 per cent and losing $364,500 collectively in election deposits.

Never has so much in deposits been forfeited in an election.

Some like the PPP and NSP even managed to poll below 1 per cent of votes, granted it was from a four-cornered fight in Tampines GRC.

PARTIES, PEOPLE OR PACE?