Nomination Day for GE2025 will likely be remembered as one of the most eventful in recent memory—defined not by spectacle or fiery speeches, but for the quiet calculations, last-minute reshuffles, and one particularly unexpected walkover that reshaped the electoral map.
Behind the scenes, both the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Workers’ Party (WP) engaged in a series of coordinated moves that suggest a more fluid and competitive political environment than in years past.
A surprise exit in Marine Parade–Braddell Heights
Perhaps the most surprising development came in Marine Parade–Braddell Heights (MPBH) GRC, where the WP—long seen as preparing for a contest—ultimately did not field a team.
Supporters who gathered at Kong Hwa School on Nomination Day, expecting a contest, were left surprised when no WP candidates appeared.
As a result, the PAP team, anchored by Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, won by walkover. It was the only uncontested constituency in this election, and the first walkover since 2011.
WP chief Pritam Singh explained the decision as a difficult one, citing the redrawing of electoral boundaries and the need to focus limited resources.
Still, the late announcement drew criticism, including from other opposition parties who suggested they might have contested had they known sooner.
Punggol emerges as a key battleground
Where WP pulled back in MPBH, it doubled down in Punggol GRC—a new constituency formed near its stronghold in Sengkang.
The party fielded senior counsel Harpreet Singh Nehal, one of its most high-profile new candidates, alongside three other first-timers.
It was a bold move in a constituency with no prior contest history, but clear strategic potential.
The PAP responded in kind. At about 11:20 am on Nomination Day—less than 40 minutes before the deadline—Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong arrived at Yusof Ishak Secondary School to file his nomination.
Notably, according to a report on Straits Times, his name was handwritten on the nomination papers, a sign of how last-minute the decision was.
Deputy Prime Minister Gan had initially been slated for Chua Chu Kang GRC. His late switch signals the weight the PAP places on defending Punggol, especially with the retirement of Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who had anchored the area.
Known for his steady hand during the COVID-19 crisis and his new role as chair of the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce, Deputy Prime Minister Gan brings both national stature and experience to the slate.
He is joined by Sun Xueling, a well-regarded incumbent whose personal appeal and strong ground presence could prove influential in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races of this election.
East Coast isn’t the fight this time
Compared to the high-profile shifts in Punggol, the PAP’s approach in East Coast GRC was noticeably more restrained.
Minister Edwin Tong leads a seasoned line-up, joined by Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How, long-serving MP Jessica Tan, and new candidate Hazlina Abdul Halim.
It’s a team that reflects stability over spectacle—experienced, consistent, and largely familiar to residents on the ground.
There had been considerable speculation that the WP might make a bold play for East Coast, potentially fielding senior counsel Harpreet Singh or even party chief Pritam Singh—moves that would have raised the stakes significantly.
But the WP instead chose to field veteran Yee Jenn Jong, also a steady figure with prior campaign experience in the constituency.
The PAP appears to have accurately gauged this and calibrated its team accordingly—experienced, but without redeploying heavyweight ministers.
What the last-minute moves say about this election
The PAP’s decision not to field a Cabinet minister in the Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC—traditionally a given for each GRC—reflects a shift in strategy.
With limited leadership bandwidth and multiple constituencies requiring reinforcement, the party made pragmatic calls, reallocating ministers where needed most.
These moves were not random. In recent weeks, the PAP had already repositioned key figures: Indranee Rajah from Tanjong Pagar to Pasir Ris–Changi, and Law Minister K. Shanmugam leading a revamped team in Nee Soon GRC.
The final set of deployments—many revealed only hours before nominations closed—point to a dynamic campaign strategy shaped by close tracking of WP’s potential plans.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, addressing the press after nominations, acknowledged the complexity of the moment.
“I fully expect this election to be a tough contest,” he said. “My team and I will work very hard to make our case to Singaporeans and to win every vote in this changed world.”
For both major parties, GE2025 presents significant tests.
PM Wong leads the PAP into its first election under new leadership, at a time of global economic uncertainty.
For the WP, the campaign unfolds under the cloud of Pritam Singh’s ongoing appeal against a recent court conviction.
The next nine days of campaigning will be crucial, especially for candidates introduced or reshuffled at the last minute, who must now work quickly to establish rapport with residents.
What Nomination Day made clear is this: Singapore’s political landscape is evolving. Strategic ambiguity, tactical shifts, and constituency-by-constituency battles are becoming more prominent.
Now that the election season has begun, both parties must convince voters that their calculated choices were the right ones.
Check out our GE2025 microsite for the latest election-related news, find out which constituency you belong to, and who’s running where on the election battleground here.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock/ Workers’ Party