Voting closes in Singapore as its long-ruling party seeks a bigger win

SINGAPORE — Voting closed Saturday in Singapore in a general election that is seen as the first key test of support for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took office last year.

His People's Action Party is widely expected to comfortably extend its 66-year dominance in the city-state. But the election is being closely watched for whether the opposition can make further gains as people express unhappiness over tight government control and a high cost of living.

Wong, a U.S.-trained economist who is also finance minister, has appealed for a resounding mandate to steer trade-reliant Singapore through economic turbulence following U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff hikes. The government has lowered its trade forecast and warned of a possible recession.

''This election is couched as a test of the support for the leadership of PM Lawrence Wong but it also will reflect how politics in Singapore are changing, namely an embrace of alternative voices and a younger generation seeing the PAP'' under a younger leader, Southeast Asia political expert Bridget Welsh said.

Wong, 52, succeeded Lee Hsien Loong to become the city-state's fourth leader. Lee stepped down in May 2024 after two decades at the helm but remained in the Cabinet as a senior minister. His retirement as premier ended a family dynasty started by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first leader, who built the former colonial backwater into one of the world's richest nations during 31 years in office.

More than 1,200 polling stations in schools, public housing blocks and other areas shut after 12 hours of voting. Polling in Singapore is compulsory, with nearly 2.76 million eligible voters. The PAP has secured five of the 97 parliamentary seats because they were unopposed.

The Election Department said turnout was about 82% at 5 p.m., three hours before voting ended. Results are expected to be known in the early hours of Sunday. But before that, the Election Department will release sample counts to provide an early indication of the outcome — a move it says will curb speculation and misinformation from unofficial sources while counting is in progress.

The PAP is seen as a beacon of stability and prosperity, but its government-knows-best stance and the rising cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities also has led to growing unhappiness, especially among younger voters. Widening income disparity, increasingly unaffordable housing, overcrowding and restrictions on free speech have loosened the PAP's grip on power.

The PAP's share of the popular vote slipped to a near-record low of 61% in 2020 elections, down from nearly 70% in 2015. Although it kept 83 out of 93 parliamentary sets, the opposition gained grounds with a record 10 seats.

Eugene Tan, law professor with the Singapore Management University, said young voters — estimated to be about a quarter of the electorate — are more receptive to appeals for greater political diversity and competition in Singapore. Young people flocked to the Workers Party's rallies during the nine-day campaign period.

The opposition says giving it a stronger presence in Parliament will allow a more balanced political system and greater accountability. But they face an uphill task, often hamstrung by a lack of resources and fragmented support. Critics said gerrymandering also gives the PAP an advantage. The biggest opposition contender, the Workers Party, is fielding only 26 seats with smaller parties contesting others.

Lawyer Akesh Abhilash, 37, said he believes the PAP would retain a strong mandate but Singapore would benefit from greater diversity of voices in Parliament.

''I think that the Workers Party will make some gains in these elections, and that ultimately can only be good for the country,'' he said after voting.

Wong has sought to refresh the PAP, which fielded 32 new faces as several veterans bowed out. He has engaged younger voters through social media and promised to develop a more balanced and inclusive Singapore. With some of his ministers in close fights with the WP, Wong has warned more votes for the opposition would weaken the PAP team in navigating economic troubles ahead.

A further dip in the PAP's popular support or ceding more seats to the opposition would be a blow for Wong.

''Expectations are to not reach below 60% popular vote. This is the threshold. If there are improvements, this will empower PM Wong and his broad changes within the PAP. If PM Wong does badly ... there might be a challenge to his leadership,'' Welsh said.