Singapore Votes in Hotly Contested Poll, Ruling Party Set to Win

Singapore: Singapore voted today in its most hotly contested general election with the outcome expected to test the long-ruling People's Action Party's (PAP) dominance of politics even though it is bound to win.

Years of strong growth have turned the island nation into an international financial hub with spotless streets and malls, well-tended parks and living standards unmatched in Southeast Asia.

But that success and an influx of foreign workers have brought high property prices, crowded public transport, and a widening wealth gap which have fuelled resentment among many in a city that surveys rank as one of the world's most expensive.

Opposition parties are hoping to take advantage of the grumbling and contested all 89 seats in parliament for the first time since independence in 1965.

Voting, compulsory for an electorate of almost 2.5 million people, ended at 8 p.m. (1200 GMT)

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The opposition focused its campaign on the bread-and-butter issues of jobs, healthcare and housing. Preliminary results are expected from around 10 p.m. (1400 GMT).

"I want to see more opposition members in parliament from more parties," said one voter, a lawyer in his 40s who gave his family as Tan.

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"I hope there are enough opposition members to fill the front benches because we can then have shadow ministers to effectively suggest alternative policies."

Voting took place amid seasonal "haze" caused by forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia, but the air quality had improved from "very unhealthy" levels late on Thursday.

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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who cast his vote with his wife, Ho Ching, said he was confident.

"We always watch carefully, we've done our best," Lee told reporters.

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'CHANGE'

The PAP, which has ruled since independence, has a bedrock of support and will win the bulk of parliament's seats but opposition inroads would challenge its dominance.

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"Regardless of how the PAP fares, he appreciates that the political landscape is very different today and that the results may point to the extent of change," Eugene Tan, a political analyst and associate professor at Singapore Management University, said of Lee.

The PAP's share of the vote dropped to 60.1 per cent in the last election, in 2011, its lowest ever. Nevertheless, it held 79 of a total 87 seats in the outgoing parliament.

The main opposition Workers' Party held seven seats while one, that of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the current prime minister's father who died in March, was vacant.

The PAP is hoping that a sense of patriotism inspired by this year's 50th anniversary and respect for the elder Lee will work in its favour.

The elder Lee drew praise for his market-friendly policies, but also criticism at home and abroad for his strict controls over the press, public protest and political opponents.

Since 2011, Prime Minister Lee has launched a multi-billion-dollar healthcare insurance programme for the elderly, introduced cooling measures for the property market and curbed the flow of foreign workers.

But the election comes as economic risks are in focus due to uncertainties stemming from China's economic slowdown and wobbly markets.

DBS Bank, Singapore's biggest lender, this week cut its economic growth forecast for Singapore to 1.8 per cent, below the official forecast of 2-2.5 per cent.