2020 Singaporean general election in the context of Mediacorp


2020 Singaporean general election in the context of Mediacorp

⭐ Core Definition: 2020 Singaporean general election

General elections were held in Singapore on 10 July 2020 to elect members of Parliament. They were the fifteenth general elections since the introduction of self-government in 1959 and the thirtheenth since independence in 1965. Parliament was dissolved and the general election called by President Halimah Yacob on 23 June, on the advice of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The number of elected seats was increased from 89 to 93 from the previous election.

The election was significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which became a central issue in the campaign. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) emphasised its management of the crisis, including securing supplies of face masks and ramping up testing. In contrast, opposition parties criticised the government's handling of the pandemic, particularly the high number of COVID-19 cases in foreign worker dormitories and the Ministry of Health's reversal of its guidance on mask usage. Beyond the pandemic, other key issues that emerged during the election included the cost of living, housing affordability, population growth and immigration policies. The election also featured constituency political broadcasts, a televised programme hosted by Mediacorp, which replaced physical rallies that were suspended as part of social distancing measures.

↓ Menu
HINT:

In this Dossier

2020 Singaporean general election in the context of Lawrence Wong

Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai (born 18 December 1972) is a Singaporean politician who has served as the fourth prime minister of Singapore since 2024 and the minister of finance since 2021. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he has been a member of Parliament (MP) for the Limbang division of Marsiling–Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency (GRC) since 2015. He had previously represented the Boon Lay division of West Coast GRC between 2011 and 2015.

Prior to entering politics, Wong worked at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). He was the principal private secretary to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong between 2005 and 2008. He also served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Energy Market Authority (EMA) between 2009 and 2011. Wong made his political debut in the 2011 general election where he contested in West Coast GRC as part of a five-member PAP team and won. Wong subsequently contested in Marsiling–Yew Tee GRC during the 2015 general election, and retained his parliamentary seat in the 2020 general election. Prior to his appointment as Minister of Finance, Wong served as the minister of culture, community and youth between 2012 and 2015, second minister of communications and information between 2014 and 2015, minister of national development between 2015 and 2020, second minister of finance between 2016 and 2021, and minister of education between 2020 and 2021.

View the full Wikipedia page for Lawrence Wong
↑ Return to Menu

2020 Singaporean general election in the context of Community Development Council

Community Development Councils (CDCs) are a form of local councils in Singapore that serves as a bridge between the government and residents living in designated districts. Each CDC functions as a platform for grassroots initiatives and community engagement, aiming to bring governance closer to the ground. The councils encourage volunteerism, promote active citizenship and strengthen social cohesion through the involvement of residents in decision-making and participation in local activities.

View the full Wikipedia page for Community Development Council
↑ Return to Menu

2020 Singaporean general election in the context of 14th Parliament of Singapore

The 14th Parliament of Singapore was a meeting of the Parliament of Singapore. It opened on 24 August 2020 and dissolved on 15 April 2025. The membership was set by the 2020 general election, held on 10 July. The final sitting for the term was on 8 April 2025, to discuss on the consensus relating the tariffs imposed by President of the United States Donald Trump a week prior.

The 14th Parliament was controlled by the People's Action Party majority, led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and members of the cabinet, which assumed power on 25 July 2020; it was then later led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and its inaugural cabinet, who assumed power on 15 May 2024. The initial number of seats of parliament at the start of the term was 104, with 10 seats from the Workers' Party led by Pritam Singh, two Non-Constituency Member of Parliament seats from the Progress Singapore Party, and nine Nominated Members. This is also the first time where the position for the Leader of the Opposition was officialised.

View the full Wikipedia page for 14th Parliament of Singapore
↑ Return to Menu