The People's Action Party (PAP) was voted back to power again, winning 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats.

The ruling party won 65.57 per cent of the vote share, up from 61.24 per cent in 2020.

The Workers' Party (WP) claimed the remaining 10 seats after retaining Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and Hougang SMC.

PAP's simple majority was secured after it won Pasir Ris-Changi GRC early Sunday morning (May 4).

Returning Officer Han Kok Juan announced the first poll results at about 11.10pm on Saturday, with PAP's Melvin Yong securing the party's first elected seat by claiming Radin Mas SMC.

Following the announcement of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC's win on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong — who is representing its Limbang ward — thanked residents for their "strong mandate" and added that the team will honour the trust given to them "by working even harder for all of you".

His team won Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC with 73.46 per cent of votes over the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). 

Speaking at a press conference at The Treasury at 3am on Sunday, PM Wong added that Singaporeans have given the PAP a "clear and strong" mandate to govern, as the ruling party received a vote share of 65.57 per cent.

He continued that the world is watching the election closely, and the results are a clear signal of "trust, stability and confidence" in the government.

"The results will motivate us to work even harder for you. We will do our best to serve you and improve your lives."

Tight race in Tampines GRC

The closely-watched ward of Jalan Kayu SMC was narrowly won by PAP's Ng Chee Meng, who received 51.47 per cent of the votes against WP's Andre Low.

With less than 12 elected opposition MPs in Parliament, Low could be declared as a Non-Constituency MP (NCMP).

The second tightest race was in Tampines GRC which saw a four-cornered fight between PAP, WP, People's Power Party and National Solidarity Party.

WP received 47.37% of the votes, which means that one of their candidates from the Tampines GRC team can be put up for an NCMP position.

At Serangoon Stadium after Aljunied GRC's win, WP's party chief Singh said: "To the dear residents of Aljunied who voted for the PAP team, as I commit to you, as the team commits to you, we serve everyone equally. The team and I look forward to working with you to make Aljunied our best home yet."

'Jaw just dropped': Chee Soon Juan

Meanwhile, SDP's Chee Soon Juan lost his bid contesting Sembawang West SMC.

PAP's Poh Li San received 11,978 votes while Dr Chee received 10,541 votes.

Addressing supporters and media at the MOE (Evans) Stadium early Sunday morning, Dr Chee said his "jaw just dropped" when he saw the results for Bukit Panjang SMC, Sembawang SMC and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, the wards SDP contested.

He thanked everyone for their enthusiastic support, adding that he wished "better results" for them.

He added that he did not want to hold supporters back as it was late and would say more at a press conference later.

"If there is any consolation, it's just that we ran the best campaign we could, and with your support, we managed to soar in terms of where we want to get to, but you know me, we pressed on, that's all I have to say."

At the end of this speech, he was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

PSP out of Parliament

Candidates from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) were unsuccessful in being elected to Parliament.

In GE2020, it had managed to send its West Coast GRC candidates Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa to Parliament as NCMPs as the 'best losers'.

On Saturday night, Leong said that the sample results were "shocking", but he believed "the people have spoken".

Leong added they would re-evaluate how they can do better.

PSP had cancelled a press conference at the HQ following the release of sample results and declined to answer questions.

After the final results were tallied on Sunday morning, Leong thanked voters for supporting the party. 

"We will study seriously and humbly into our failure, and reconsider how we can gain further trust from Singaporeans. We may need to review our strategy and regroup ourselves to fight another day," he added.

PAP's vote share in 2020

In the 2020 polls, the PAP's vote share fell to 61.24 per cent from 69.9 per cent in 2015.

GE2025 is PAP's secretary-general Lawrence Wong's first as Prime Minister. Through the nine days of campaigning, he urged voters to choose his party to lead Singapore through uncertain times in the wake of tariffs imposed by US.

Meanwhile, WP said then that it will not form the next Government and asked citizens to vote in favour of a more balanced Parliament.

Other opposition parties similarly called for greater political diversity and promised to push for policy changes relating to hot issues including cost-of-living, housing and immigration.

Additional reporting by Yeo Shu Hui, Koh Xing Ying

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lim.kewei@asiaone.com

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