Following months of uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, has announced his decision to call for a general election now that the country’s parliament has been dissolved and its coronavirus situation is under control.
Speaking in a televised address, Lee (who cited examples in recent elections held in South Korea, Taiwan and several European countries) explained the motivation behind his decision to call for the elections now. He revealed that he was “satisfied” with the current state of things, and the possibility that elections could be conducted safely with political parties allowed to campaign effectively considering the “relatively stable” condition of the country following the outbreak.
“An election now when things are relatively stable will clear the decks and give the new government a fresh full five-year mandate. It can then focus on this national agenda and the difficult decisions it will have to make and to carry,” said the prime minister.
“The alternative is to wait out the Covid-19 pandemic. But we have no assurance that the pandemic will be over before this government’s term must end next April. And that is why I have decided to hold the general election now,” he added.
The prime minister’s office also revealed that President Halimah Yacob has dissolved parliament just four days after the city-state lifted most coronavirus restrictions. A new nomination date has been set for June 30, with the Elections Department also announcing Singaporean voters will head to the polls on July 10.
Singapore and COVID-19
While Singapore initially handled its coronavirus situation well, cases in the country of only 5.8 million people rose to a staggering 42,432 with 119 new cases confirmed on Tuesday. Over time, it has recorded one of the highest infection rates in Asia, with most cases linked to dormitories used to house foreign migrant workers.
In his speech, Lee gave the assurance that more polling stations will be set up, senior citizens would have priority, and safe distancing rules would be observed in Singapore.
