SINGAPORE: In a surprising announcement that could shake the political landscape, the opposition Workers’ Party (WP) revealed it will be contesting fewer than one-third of the 97 parliamentary seats available in the upcoming General Election on May 3.

During a press conference on April 17, party chief Pritam Singh unveiled the party's manifesto alongside four new candidates, but intriguingly withheld details on the exact number of candidates and the constituencies they aim to contest. He stated these specifics would be disclosed in due time.

A Shift in Strategy or a Setback?

Back in 2019, the WP laid out its ambition to secure a third of parliamentary seats, yet Singh admitted that this year's election will not allow them to meet that target. He emphasized that the party's real goal is to gather a robust team of candidates capable of working for the interests of Singaporeans.

In the previous General Election, the WP fielded 21 candidates, a decline from the 28 in 2015. They made notable gains in constituencies like Hougang and Aljunied, even clinching four additional seats by securing victory in Sengkang GRC.

Potential New Battlegrounds

Looking ahead, party insiders speculate that the WP might target the newly created Punggol GRC and seek to reclaim ground in familiar areas such as Tampines. This would potentially bring their candidate count up to 30 for this election, still shy of the 32 needed to represent a third of the Parliament.

Revamped Recruitment Process

When asked about improvements in candidate recruitment, Singh hinted at significant changes. The party has collaborated with "commercial parties" for better candidate screening and personality assessments, especially following the resignation of former MP Raeesah Khan due to a scandal in late 2021.

While Singh conveyed hopes of attracting elite candidates, he remained realistic about the current landscape, acknowledging the courage required to step into the political ring.

What's Next for WP?

Concerning the lineup in Aljunied GRC, Singh didn’t rule out any possibilities but suggested that any changes would be minimal. He noted the ruling People’s Action Party's coyness about its candidate line-up, hinting at a strategy that keeps opponents guessing.

With another slate of candidates set to be unveiled soon, all eyes will be on the Workers' Party as they navigate this pivotal moment in Singapore's political scene.