With storms, cheers and mandates, S'pore votes in the age of PM Wong

The events of the night promise excitement even as country's political future is shaped

- Cherie Lok, Stephanie Yeo, Senior Correspondent, and Carmen Sin

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has spent the last few weeks warning of an approaching storm. To weather the challenges ahead, the nation's most pre-eminent weatherman had repeatedly called for a "dedicated and experienced team" with "capable leaders", operating under the assurance of a clear mandate.

But by 11pm on May 3, as sample counts rolled in, the skies over Singapore's future began to clear. The PAP had secured a decisive victory in PM Wong's first electoral test as leader, winning a strong mandate with vote shares close to 82 per cent in some constituencies and an overall national vote of 65.57 per cent.

Striding into Yio Chu Kang Stadium at 11.25pm, where scores of supporters and candidates were gathered, relief was written all over his face.

His arrival capped off a night to remember for triumphant PAP supporters. Exultation had been surging steadily all evening, with each result — save the WP's edge in Sengkang, Hougang and Aljunied, which was met with stark silence — sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Signs fluttered, whistles split the air. There was hooting, hollering and resounding chants of "PAP, PAP, PAP".

"That's insane! Xie Yao Quan is a legend!" yelled one white-clad young man, leaping up and down on the bleachers, after the sample count for Jurong Central SMC — a whopping 81 per cent — was announced.

Despite the long night that stretched ahead of them, supporters had flocked to the assembly centre from as early as 7.30pm. Ms Goh, a mother of two, wanted to gift her children the experience of witnessing how the votes of the people can shape the future of the country.

"It's quite an interesting event. It's been 10 years since the last (physical election watch party), when they weren't even born yet," said the 39-year-old, who works in early childhood.