‘A let-down’: Some Marine Parade-Braddell Heights residents disappointed they will not get to vote in GE2025 (2025)

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SINGAPORE - Ms Grysell, 23, would have been a first-time voter in the May 3 general election, but she will not get to cast her vote due to a walkover in her constituency.

A five-member PAP team in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, which the WP was expected to contest, was elected unopposed when nomination proceedings ended at noon on April 23.

“I was looking forward to voting for the first time. I don’t really follow Singapore politics, but because I am a first-time voter, I started tuning in to the news to see what was happening,” said the online shop owner, who has lived in Geylang for 11 years.She declined to give her full name.

“So, of course I am quite bummed I won’t vote after all. I didn’t expect that possibility at all.”

This is the first walkover at a general election since 2011, when a PAP team for Tanjong Pagar GRC stood uncontested. The WP had contested Marine Parade GRC in 2020 and 2015. In 2020, it garnered 42.26 per cent of the vote, losing to PAP’s 57.74 per cent.

Under the latest electoral boundary changes, the constituency absorbed MacPherson SMC and parts of Mountbatten SMC. It was renamed Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

On April 24, The Straits Times spoke to Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC residents at Geylang East Market & Food Centre and Promenade Market @ 84 in Marine Parade Central, as well as nearby void decks and a park. Many residents declined to give their full names.

Some told ST they felt opposition parties should have coordinated better to contest the GRC, while others were disappointed that the PAP team did not have to enter into an electoral contest to win its mandate.

But several acknowledged that decisions on where to field candidates were strategic moves made by both the PAP and WP.

In a Facebook post explaining the decision not to contest Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, WP chief Pritam Singh made reference to the constituency’s redrawn electoral boundaries. “To give our candidates the best chance of electoral success, the party must focus its best efforts this GE on a smaller number of constituencies than we would have hoped to contest,” he said.

Geylang East resident Mr Ashvin, 28, said he had voted in the last general election in 2020, but pointed out that campaigning was scaled down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“My parents told me it didn’t really feel the same,” said the tuition teacher. “I was excited to experience the rallies, the campaigning properly this time around, so I was shocked when they announced a walkover. It is definitely a let-down.”

Others said they had looked forward to opposition parties putting up a fight and seeing both parties’ vote shares.

Said Tanjong Katong resident and lawyer Aloysius, 36: “My family, friends and myself are disappointed because we can’t see the confidence levels in whoever wins.”

Kent, 65, a retired senior manager, added: “There has to be a contest so the winning team will work hard and know it’s not an easy job. Then they’ll be more willing to listen to our needs.”

“I am disappointed I will not get to exercise my right to vote. The opposition should put up candidates to fight,” said Mr C.K. Chan, a retired engineer in his 70s.

He described the walkover as a shame. “The opposition let down so many voters who now have to wait five years to vote.”

Residents also said they were surprised by the slate changes on Nomination Day, which saw Dr Tan See Leng joining the PAP team contesting Chua Chu Kang GRC. Dr Tan had previously announced he would lead the PAP’s Marine Parade-Braddell Heights team into the election.

Minister of State for National Development and Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim, Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, former MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling, and PAP new faces Diana Pang and Goh Pei Ming will be part of Singapore’s 15th Parliament.

Executive officer Amarjit Singh, 59, said Dr Tan was “very visible”. He had seen him talking to residents at the hawker centre and market, and involved in grassroots events. “I’m a bit disappointed that he’s not going to be the MP here, but I am sure he wouldn’t move unless he’s got a strong team in place to take over.”

On the PAP new faces, Ms Pang and Mr Goh, he added: “It’s always good to have new faces. They cannot become veterans unless you give them a chance.”

Some residents did not mind not getting to cast their vote this time.

Said homemaker Hajjah Rokiah Majid, 71, a Marine Parade resident of 39 years: “I’ve voted in too many elections already. To be honest, I’m just happy I don’t have to go this year.

“I’m okay with how things have been in my area. I don’t think anything big will change even if we all vote someone else in.”

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