GE2025: Expect more multi-way fights in GRCs, say experts

Harder to avoid such contests with so many more parties showing interest: Analysts

- Wong Pei Ting

An unprecedented number of multi-cornered fights could feature in the next general election, with at least six group representation constituencies (GRCs) drawing interest from multiple opposition parties.

Checks by ST found that five GRCs might see three-cornered contests between the PAP and two opposition parties. They are Ang Mo Kio, Nee Soon, Pasir Ris-Punggol, Sembawang and Tanjong Pagar.

And one constituency – Tampines – could form the backdrop of a four-way showdown.

With various political parties vying for ground, multi-cornered fights are now harder to avoid, analysts said.

They noted that by staking an early claim, parties could also be "posturing" or aiming to use constituencies as bargaining chips in a horse-trading exercise, which is usually carried out after electoral boundaries are firmed up.

Ten opposition parties have signaled their intent to contest the coming polls, including the three grouped under the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR). There were 10 opposition parties in the last election too, but other than the longstanding Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), none of the parties had formed blocs then.

"We have far too many political parties; it's a crowded political landscape for sure," said Singapore Management University (SMU) law professor Eugene Tan, a former Nominated MP.

Multi-cornered fights in GRCs have historically been rare because the belief is that they tend to favour the ruling party. There have been only two such contests in the 37 years since the GRC system was introduced to ensure better minority representation.

The most recent such contest took place in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC during the 2020 General Election, between the People's Action Party, SDA and Peoples Voice (PV).