Both independent candidates plan to be full-time MPs if elected

One cites no credible opposition as reason for standing; for the other, it is out of sense of duty

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan

Independent candidate Darryl Lo, who is contesting Radin Mas SMC, will not hold physical rallies. Instead, he will distribute 15,000 fliers and put up 200 posters with a team of 12 volunteers.

And while he acknowledged that he has no political presence, he said he is going solo as there is no credible opposition in his constituency.

Mr Lo is one of two independent candidates standing for election when Singaporeans go to the polls on May 3.

The other is Mr Jeremy Tan, who is contesting Mountbatten SMC.

Both men are first-time candidates, and plan to be full-time MPs if elected.

On Nomination Day on April 23, Mr Lo, 28, told The Straits Times: "I always have the belief that sometimes an underdog may emerge successful. And I hope the residents see my perseverance and hard work."

He will be up against incumbent PAP MP Melvin Yong, 53, and People's Alliance for Reform's (PAR) Kumar Appavoo, 56.

There are 25,567 voters in Radin Mas.

At the 2020 General Election, Mr Yong, the assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress, secured 74.01 per cent of the vote against businessman Kumar, who was then with the Reform Party (RP).

Mr Lo said: "My impression of him (Mr Kumar), and I voted last time around, was that he's not serious enough (about standing for election)."