2011 Singaporean general election

The 2011 general elections were the sixteenth general elections in Singapore and eleventh since independence. The governing People's Action Party (PAP) sought to secure their 13th consecutive term in office since 1959. This was the second election since Lee Hsien Loong became its Secretary-General.

The returning officer is the Chief Executive Director of the People's Association Yam Ah Mee, who replaced his predecessor Tan Boon Huat after serving as returning officer for three general elections from 1997 to 2006.{{Cite web|title=APPOINTMENT OF RETURNING OFFICER|url=http://www.elections.gov.sg/gazette/G_ParE2010/Appointment%20of%20Returning%20Officer%20(PEA).pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428110125/http://www.elections.gov.sg/gazette/G_ParE2010/Appointment%20of%20Returning%20Officer%20(PEA).pdf|archive-date=28 April 2011|access-date=10 May 2011}} As of the recent 2025 election, this was the most recent election with Yam declaring the "pursuant to section 49" line and the rejected votes announced first before voter's turnout; subsequent elections from 2015 would omit the lines due to time constraints and the practice of announcing valid votes first before announcing rejected votes.{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151365993832934.1073741847.93889432933&type=1 |title=Facebook – YAM AH MEE'S FAREWELL PARTY |website=Facebook |access-date=28 March 2013 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415032128/https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151365993832934.1073741847.93889432933&type=1 |url-status=live }}

On 11 March 2010 the Government tabled three bills in the parliament to amend the Constitution, the Presidential Elections Act and the Parliamentary Elections Act.{{cite web | title=3 bills tabled to amend Constitution, Presidential & Parliamentary elections | author=Channel News Asia | url=http://news.sg.msn.com/cna/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3940283 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104075055/http://news.sg.msn.com/cna/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3940283 | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 January 2013 | access-date=16 March 2010 }} These amendments reduced the number of Group representation constituencies (GRC), increased the number of Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) to a maximum of nine (inclusive of the number of elected opposition members of Parliament), and the number of Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) permanent also to nine. A one-day "cooling-off" day was implemented, during which campaigning was forbidden, with only party political broadcasts allowed. Internet campaigning was also formally legalised as a legitimate means of political campaigning. On 26 April 2010, the amendments to the Constitution were passed by a vote of 74–1 after a three-hour debate on the bill.{{cite web | title=Singapore's constitutional amendments passed | author=The Straits Times | url=http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?id=11598 | access-date=27 April 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723020821/http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?id=11598 | archive-date=23 July 2011 | df=dmy-all }}

{{main|List of political parties in Singapore}}

The governing People's Action Party (PAP) has been in power since Singapore's independence in 1965, and is currently led by the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Besides the ruling PAP, the other major political parties that may contest the upcoming elections are the Workers' Party of Singapore (WP) led by Low Thia Khiang, the Singapore People's Party led by Chiam See Tong which left the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) in 2011, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) led by Chee Soon Juan,{{efn|name="sdpjohn"|After the ruling government sued him into bankruptcy, Chee Soon Juan is barred from standing in elections. The SDP was thus led by its assistant secretary-general, John Tan, contesting in Sembawang GRC.}}{{cite news | title = SDP's Chee Soon Juan declared bankrupt, cannot stand for elections till 2011 | publisher = Channel NewsAsia | date = 10 February 2006 | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/print/192561/1/.html | access-date = 17 December 2008 | archive-date = 1 October 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071001015309/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/print/192561/1/.html | url-status = dead }} By Farah Abdul Rahim. the National Solidarity Party (NSP) led by Goh Meng Seng which left the SDA in 2007, the Reform Party (Singapore) led by Kenneth Jeyaretnam, and the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) led by Desmond Lim, which is composed of the Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura (Singapore Malay National Organization) (PKMS) and the Singapore Justice Party (SJP). The Reform Party is the newest party and was created on 18 June 2008 and was then led by former Member of Parliament J.B. Jeyaretnam. He could have stood for election after he was discharged from bankruptcy and reinstated to the bar,{{cite web | title=Jeyaretnam reinstated as an attorney after appeal is accepted | website=TODAY website | url=http://politics.sgforums.com/forums/10/topics/280688 | access-date=17 December 2008 | archive-date=4 October 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004100601/http://politics.sgforums.com/forums/10/topics/280688 | url-status=live }} however, Jeyaretnam died of heart failure on 30 September 2008 at the age of 82.{{cite web | title=JBJ dies of heart attack | author=The Straits Times | url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_284282.html | access-date=17 December 2008 | archive-date=30 September 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930153745/http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_284282.html | url-status=live }} His eldest son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam has since taken up leadership of the party and is now its secretary-general.{{cite web|url=http://thereformparty.net/about/cec/|title=Central Executive Committee|publisher=Reform Party|website=Reform Party website|access-date=7 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235541/http://thereformparty.net/about/cec/|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

{{main|List of Singaporean electoral divisions (2011–15)}}

The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee normally publishes an updated list of electoral divisions just before elections are called. Prior to the latest amendments, there were 14 GRCs, each with five or six seats, and nine Single Member Constituencies (SMC). There were a total of 84 seats being contested in the 2006 elections.{{Cite web|date=2011-02-25|title=GE Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report accepted - Channel NewsAsia|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112730/1/.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225222245/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112730/1/.html|archive-date=25 February 2011|access-date=2021-12-31|website=}}{{Cite web|date=2011-02-25|title=GE 11 new constituencies drawn up - Channel NewsAsia|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112773/1/.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225222317/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112773/1/.html|archive-date=25 February 2011|access-date=2021-12-31|website=}}

The new electoral map for 2011 was announced on 24 February 2011. The number of MPs to return has increased by three seats to 87, and four-member GRCs reappeared from the political map for the first time since 1997. Both Hong Kah and Jalan Besar GRCs were retooled into Chua Chu Kang and Moulmein-Kallang GRCs respectively, while three of five existing six-member GRCs were reduced to five seats each with Ang Mo Kio and Pasir Ris-Punggol remained at six (these GRCs would eventually be reduced in 2020). With the population growth in Yishun and Simpang leading to the formation of Nee Soon GRC,{{cite news |date=24 February 2011 |title=GE: How many voters does each GRC get? |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112777/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022094518/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1112777/1/.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 |access-date=8 June 2014 |publisher=cna}} there are a total of 15 GRCs this election, up by one from the last election. Only two constituencies of Bishan-Toa Payoh and Tampines were left untouched.

The number of SMCs have been increased by three to 12 for this election, with the introductions of Hong Kah North, Pioneer, Punggol East and Sengkang West, as well as returning SMCs of Mountbatten, Radin Mas, Whampoa and Yuhua after being part of GRCs in previous elections. In turn, Chua Chu Kang, MacPherson, Nee Soon Central, Nee Soon East and Yio Chu Kang were absorbed into neighbouring GRCs.

File:Electoral boundaries during the Singapore general elections 2011.svg

The changes made in the electoral divisions are as follows:

{{Main|Pre-election day events of the 2011 Singaporean general election}}

===Timeline===

{{main|Pre-election day events of the 2011 Singaporean general election#New candidates}}

A total of 78 candidates were brand-new to this election. Notable candidates out of the 24 introduced from the People's Action Party that were part of the "fourth-generation" (4G) cabinet which include the eventual fourth Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong, a future Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Heng Swee Keat, an ex-SAF Chief and ministers Chan Chun Sing, Tan Chuan-Jin, as well as Desmond Lee and Ong Ye Kung, the sons of former MPs Lee Yock Suan and Ong Lian Ten respectively.

There were 54 debuting candidates from six opposition parties, which include Pritam Singh who made another inroad into Parliament and went on to become the Workers' Party's leader in 2018, as well as Lina Loh (wife of then-Potong Pasir SMC MP Chiam See Tong), Kenneth Andrew Jeyaretnam (son of the late J. B. Jeyaretnam), Nicole Seah, Tan Jee Say, Hazel Poa (who also joined by her spouse Tony Tan Lay Thiam) and Benjamin Pwee Yek Guan.

{{main|Pre-election day events of the 2011 Singaporean general election#Outgoing candidates}}

20 existing PAP members from the 11th Parliament will not see re-election, among which 18 announced their retirement, ten of which being office holders,{{cite web|url=http://www.ge.sg/candidates/stepdown/2011/a/|title=General Election 2011 – Retired MPs|publisher=ge.sg|access-date=9 May 2011|archive-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510082413/http://www.ge.sg/candidates/stepdown/2011/a/|url-status=dead}} and two members, Balaji Sadasivan (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Ong Chit Chung (Jurong GRC), died during their term in office but neither by-elections were called since their wards were part of a Group Representation Constituency; the latter however would later become a Bukit Batok Single Member Constituency on the next election in 2015. Eric Low, another PAP candidate that first entered politics in the 2001 election but lost twice to WP, did not seek re-election, making him the second PAP candidate to participate but did not enter parliament (the first being Pang Kim Hin).

Nomination day occurred on 27 April 2011 and opened from 11am for an hour. The election deposit for this election was S$16,000, the highest amount set in any election's history. The Elections Department allocated the following nine places of nomination as nomination centres:{{cite web |title=1063 Writ of Election.pdf |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/gazettes/2011/1063%20Writ%20of%20Election.pdf#zoom=100 |access-date=15 April 2025}}

• A ^M indicates a GRC requires a Malay/Muslim minority candidate, while ^IO indicates a GRC requires an Indian or other minority candidate

During nomination, Steve Tan Peng Hoe pulled out from contesting Tampines GRC; Tanjong Pagar GRC incumbent Baey Yam Keng took his place, in turn new candidate Chia Shi-Lu replaced Baey in his place.[http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_661751.html Chia Shi Lu – from unknown to MP]. Straitstimes.com (2011-04-28). Retrieved on 2011-05-04.{{cite news|last=Chua|first=Lee Hoong|date=28 April 2011|title=Singapore heads to history-making polls on May 7|work=The Straits Times|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_662123.html|access-date=9 May 2011}}{{Cite news |date=27 April 2020 |title=Chia Shi-Lu: I haven't just appeared |work=AsiaOne |url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110427-275967.html |access-date=1 July 2020}}{{Cite web|title= Assoc Prof Chia Shi Lu |url=https://www.sgh.com.sg/profile/chia-shi-lu}}

Soon after the announcement of the new electoral boundaries, various opposition parties indicated their intent to contest, subject to negotiations between political parties to avoid three-cornered fights. The parties declaring an interest to contest each constituency and their nomination status is reflected below.

File:Map of contested electoral divisions in the Singaporean general election 2011.svg

In the first pre-election forum of this nature in Singapore since the 1988 General Election, Channel NewsAsia invited the main parties to record an hour-long programme. The programme, in English entitled, “A political forum on Singapore's future” brought together the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and four opposition parties to discuss long and short-term challenges for the country.

{{cite web | title=MediaCorp presents a political forum on Singapore's future | website=Mediacorp website | url=http://www.mediacorp.sg/en/media/EDC110330-0000661/MediaCorp%20presents%20a%20political%20forum | access-date=3 April 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406044926/http://www.mediacorp.sg/en/media/EDC110330-0000661/MediaCorp%20presents%20a%20political%20forum | archive-date=6 April 2011 | df=dmy-all }}

The forum included:

• Singapore Democratic Party, represented by its Assistant Treasurer Dr Vincent Wijeysingha;
• Singapore People's Party, represented by 2nd Vice Chairwoman Lina Chiam;
• Workers' Party of Singapore, represented by Assistant Webmaster Gerald Giam;
• Singapore Democratic Alliance, represented by Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Nazem Suki;
• People's Action Party, represented by:
• Finance Minister and Jurong GRC MP Tharman Shanmugaratnam
• Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC MP Josephine Teo

The Worker's Party utilised social media to circumvent obstacles placed in front of them by Singapore's government-controlled media.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/singapores-ruling-party-chastened-in-poll/story-e6frg6so-1226052134728|title=Singapore's ruling party chastened in poll|last=Loudon|first=Bruce|date=9 May 2011|publisher=The Australian|access-date=8 May 2011}}

Similar to the previous elections, many media outlets named the following constituencies as "hotspots":{{cite web |title=The Straits Times, 1 May 2011 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/issue/straitstimes20110501-1 |website=NewspaperSG |access-date=3 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Which are the strong opposition parties this GE |url=https://news.smu.edu.sg/sites/news.smu.edu.sg/files/wwwsmu/news_room/smu_in_the_news/2011/sources/Yahoo!_20110420_1.pdf |website=Singapore management University |access-date=3 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=GE2015: A look back at the last 5 general elections from 1991 to 2011 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2015-a-look-back-at-the-last-5-general-elections-from-1991-to-2011 |website=The Straits Times |access-date=1 March 2025 |language=en |archive-date=7 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007073757/https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2015-a-look-back-at-the-last-5-general-elections-from-1991-to-2011 |url-status=live }}

• Aljunied GRC, in which it was PAP's narrowest victory in the last election, as Hougang SMC incumbent Low Thia Khiang left the ward to lead his WP's A-team to contest the ward; analysts hinted that the addition of Kaki Bukit division into the ward could be decisive, as many of the wards consist of parts of the previously defunct Cheng San and Eunos GRCs, both of which WP had strong support in during the constituency's existence.
• Similarly, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, which faced its first contest since the formation in 1997, was also a hotspot as Potong Pasir SMC incumbent Chiam See Tong left the ward to also lead his SPP's A-team to contest the ward. Unlike Aljunied, the boundaries for Bishan-Toa Payoh were intact throughout its existence.
• Marine Parade and Tampines GRCs, in which the NSP party (the largest opposition slate for the election) fielded their top teams for them, with the latter led by its leader Goh Meng Seng. Marine Parade's last contested election was in 1992, 19 years prior, while Tampines had contested by them in all elections except 1997.
• Joo Chiat SMC was also named as one of the hotspots after incumbent MP Chan Soo Sen stepped down; Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Charles Chong stepped in and faced WP's new face Yee Jenn Jong this election.
• Punggol East SMC, in which it was the election's only three-cornered contest (between PAP's incumbent Michael Palmer, SDA's leader Desmond Lim, and WP's Lee Li Lian).
• Likewise, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC was also hotly contested as it was also the ward's inaugural battle since its formation last election.

The Singapore Police Force announced 41 political rally sites on 27 April which could be booked by political parties on a first-come-first-served basis. Rallies were allowed to be conducted from 28 April to 5 May, from 7am to 10pm. The 41st site is for lunch time rallies at Boat Quay near to the UOB Plaza.[http://www.spf.gov.sg/mic/2011/110427_election_meeting.htm Singapore Police Force – Media Information Centre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501062603/http://www.spf.gov.sg/mic/2011/110427_election_meeting.htm |date=1 May 2011 }}. Spf.gov.sg. Retrieved 4 May 2011.

{{col-start}}

{{col-3}}

National Solidarity Party

People's Action Party

{{col-3}}

Reform Party

Singapore Democratic Alliance

Singapore Democratic Party

Singapore People's Party

Workers’ Party

{{col-3}}

File:Singapore GE2011 NSP Rally 01.jpg]]

File:Singapore GE2011 SDP Rally 01.jpg on 3 May]]

{{col-end}}

During the 2011 elections campaigning, Vivian Balakrishnan said the SDP was "suppressing a certain YouTube video, which raises some very awkward questions about the agenda and motivations of the SDP and its candidates".{{cite news|last=Xuanwei|first=Teo|title=Netizens attempt to identify video SDP accused of 'suppressing'|url=http://www.todayonline.com/SingaporeVotes/EDC110425-0000184/Netizens-attempt-to-identify-video-SDP-accused-of-suppressing|access-date=12 May 2011|newspaper=Today Online|date=25 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429164837/http://www.todayonline.com/SingaporeVotes/EDC110425-0000184/Netizens-attempt-to-identify-video-SDP-accused-of-suppressing|archive-date=29 April 2011|df=dmy-all}} He issued the following statement:

:I am not sure what [the SDP] strategy is...I can't help feeling that part of the reason for their reticence is they have elements of their agenda they are not prepared to disclose and subject to scrutiny. Eventually, they will have to come out of the closet. (The Straits Times, 20 April 2011)

Vincent Wijeysingha rejected his comments stating, "We've been a very open party and we're very clear."{{cite news|last=Mokhtar|first=Faris|title=SDP, PAP clash over mystery videoe|url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/sdp-hits-back-pap-criticisms-141142593.html|access-date=9 August 2011|newspaper=Yahoo News|date=24 April 2011|archive-date=28 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428110734/http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/sdp-hits-back-pap-criticisms-141142593.html|url-status=live}}

This incident was cited in an article published in The Economist criticising the ruling party's election strategy{{cite news|title=Low expectations|url=http://www.economist.com/node/18681827?story_id=18681827&fsrc=rss|access-date=12 May 2011|newspaper=The Economist|date=12 May 2011|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023125629/http://www.economist.com/node/18681827?story_id=18681827&fsrc=rss|url-status=live}} The New Paper released a story next day, with the headline: "Is Singapore ready for a GAY MP?".{{cite news|last=Sim Bryna|first=Melvin Singh|title=Is Singapore ready for a GAY MP?|url=http://www.tnp.sg/content/spore-ready-gay-mp|access-date=26 April 2011|newspaper=The New Paper|date=16 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428141427/http://www.tnp.sg/content/spore-ready-gay-mp|archive-date=28 April 2011|df=dmy-all}} Kenneth Jeyaretnam of the Reform Party called Balakrishnan's campaign a "low attack."

Balakrishnan received widespread controversy and criticism online for his remark,.{{cite news|last=Paulo|first=Derrick|title=Drama over video, YOG and economic policies|url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110507-0000027/Drama-over-video,-YOG-and-economic-policies|access-date=12 May 2011|newspaper=Today Online|date=7 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609145108/http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110507-0000027/Drama-over-video,-YOG-and-economic-policies|archive-date=9 June 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} On 28 April, he told the press: "there is "no need" to further discuss [the] video". He said that his question was a "legitimate".{{cite news|last=Mokhtar|first=Faris|title=Vivian Balakrishnan: Let's not talk about the video anymore|url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/dr-vivian-let-not-talk-video-anymore-173058828.html|access-date=16 May 2011|newspaper=Yahoo News|date=28 April 2011|archive-date=30 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430115519/http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/dr-vivian-let-not-talk-video-anymore-173058828.html|url-status=live}}

Nicole Seah, a team member contesting Marine Parade GRC under the NSP team, filed a complaint to the Elections Department on 6 May stating PAP-team member Tin Pei Ling had violated the state-mandated cooling-off period 24 hours before polls by posting a Facebook comment "in response to a video [in the state press] that showed Seah crying after being told about a MacPherson female resident who could not get a refund of her son's $80 tuition fees".{{cite web|title=RazorTV interview with Nicole Seah in MacPherson|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FOUW4iA6b8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/0FOUW4iA6b8 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|website=Straits Times RazorTV|access-date=7 May 2011}}{{cbignore}}

The NSP team was advised by the Elections Department to lodge a police report before the Elections Department could investigate.{{cite news|title=NSP advised to make police report|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_665908.html|access-date=7 May 2011|newspaper=Straits Times|date=7 May 2011|archive-date=9 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509184052/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_665908.html|url-status=live}}

The day after the election, Seah told reporters that her party had not received any response after making the complaint, and said no decision had been taken on whether or not to pursue the issue. She added that the NSP knew "it is an uphill battle to get any results out of this. I would rather devote my time and resources to the residents".{{cite news |date=8 May 2011 |title=Tin Pei Ling's Cooling-off Day 'comment' pursue or not? |url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081862/1/Tin-Pei-Lings-Coolingoff-Day-comment-pursue-or-not |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509185230/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081862/1/Tin-Pei-Lings-Coolingoff-Day-comment-pursue-or-not |archive-date=9 May 2011 |access-date=9 May 2011 |work=Channel NewsAsia |publisher=}}

A similar complaint was lodged against Seah alleging that material had been published on her Facebook page during Cooling-Off Day. On 10 August, the Singapore Police Force announced that it had concluded its investigations into the two incidents, and that aside from a "stern warning" to Tin's friend, neither action was taken against either Tin or Seah.{{cite press release|title=Update On Four Police Cases Related To Possible Offences Committed During The General Election 2011|publisher=Singapore Police Force|date=10 August 2011|url=http://www.spf.gov.sg/mic/2011/110810_update_offences_GE2011.htm|access-date=10 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320072412/http://www.spf.gov.sg/mic/2011/110810_update_offences_GE2011.htm|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=dead}}

Separately, the NSP also complained that the PAP had been distributing election material to residents in Tampines GRC in violation of cooling-off regulations.

After polls closed at 8pm, vote counting began. Results were announced by Yam Ah Mee, chief executive director of the People's Association, who acted as the Returning Officer for the election.{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666918.html|title=Yam Ah Mee: GE's new Internet star|last=Wong|first=Tessa|date=10 May 2011|work=Straits Times|access-date=10 May 2011|archive-date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315164046/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666918.html|url-status=live}} The first result was declared at 11.58pm on 7 May 2011, where PAP candidate Lim Biow Chuan won the Mountbatten SMC with a majority of 3,529. The final result to be declared was for the Potong Pasir SMC at 2.51am on 8 May, where the PAP won the seat from the SPP by a narrow margin of 0.72%, or a majority of 114, following a recount.

While People's Action Party retain government control for the 13th consecutive election, its vote majorities were reduced island-wide for a second election in a row, down to its lowest national vote share to 60.17%, surpassing 1991's share of 60.97%. The constituency with the best performing result this election was Hong Kah North SMC with 70.61%, being the only one to score at least 70% for the election.

PAP won all but two constituencies with 81 out of 87 seats; the WP won the remaining six seats after successfully retain Hougang SMC and for the first time since GRCs were introduced in 1988, WP also won Aljunied GRC, the first instance where any opposition party won a GRC.{{cite news|url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081839/1/GE-Singapores-PAP-returns-to-power|title=GE: Singapore's PAP returns to power|date=8 May 2011|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=8 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510070036/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081839/1/GE-Singapores-PAP-returns-to-power|archive-date=10 May 2011|url-status=dead}} Its victory also lead to the defeat of cabinet minister George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua, who became the first two cabinet ministers to lose re-election since independence,{{cite news|url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081842/1/GE-We-hear-all-your-voices-says-PM-Lee|title=GE: "We hear all your voices", says PM Lee|date=8 May 2011|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=8 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510063628/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081842/1/GE-We-hear-all-your-voices-says-PM-Lee|archive-date=10 May 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13313695|title=Singapore opposition make 'landmark' election gains|date=7 May 2011|work=BBC News Online|access-date=8 May 2011}} with the last time being 1963 (minister Kenneth Michael Byrne lost his seat of Crawford).{{cite news|url=http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?StoryId={d88efbec-96e4-4fe4-a726-349b3147c5b8}|title=A Singaporean minister again in a hot seat|date=28 April 2011|work=Straits Times|access-date=8 May 2011}} Furthermore, Hougang SMC clocked in the best performing result for WP at 64.80%, and the second-best performing result for any opposition party in post-independence Singapore's history, only behind 1991's Potong Pasir SMC's record of 69.64%.

The election also saw several records, with the elections of first female opposition MP Sylvia Lim and first Malay opposition MP Faisal Manap into Parliament. At 27 years of age, Marine Parade GRC MP Tin Pei Ling set a record of becoming the youngest MP-elect, which was previously held by 29-year old Ho Kah Leong back in 1966.{{cite web |title=Ho Kah Leong 何家良 |url=https://iseaa.nafa.edu.sg/resources/collections/artist/ho-kah-leong |website=NAFA |access-date=22 November 2024 |archive-date=22 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622121030/https://iseaa.nafa.edu.sg/resources/collections/artist/ho-kah-leong |url-status=live }} Her record would later be surpassed by 26-year old MP-elect Raeesah Khan in the 2020 elections.{{cite news |title=Singapore to see record number of women enter Parliament after GE2020 |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ge2020-record-number-women-parliament-mps-singapore-12940394 |website=CNA |access-date=18 July 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718062017/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ge2020-record-number-women-parliament-mps-singapore-12940394 |url-status=dead }} Both Tin and Alex Yam were also the first two millennial MPs to be elected into parliament, and Michael Palmer become the first ethnic minority MP to manage a SMC since the introduction of the GRC system.

Excluding electorates from Tanjong Pagar GRC, voter turnout for the election was 93.18%, with 2,060,373 votes cast.{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667474.html|title=93.18% of registered electors voted in GE 2011|date=12 May 2011|work=Straits Times|access-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505051952/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667474.html|archive-date=5 May 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Popular vote

|label1 = PAP

|value1 = 60.14

|color1 = {{party color|People's Action Party}}

|label2 = Workers'

|value2 = 12.83

|color2 = {{party color|Workers' Party (Singapore)}}

|label3 = NSP

|value3 = 12.04

|color3 = {{party color|National Solidarity Party (Singapore)}}

|label4 = SDP

|value4 = 4.83

|color4 = {{party color|Singapore Democratic Party}}

|label5 = Reform

|value5 = 4.28

|color5 = {{party color|Reform Party (Singapore)}}

|label6 = SPP

|value6 = 3.11

|color6 = {{party color|Singapore People's Party}}

|label7 = SDA

|value7 = 2.78

|color7 = {{party color|Singapore Democratic Alliance}}

}}

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Seats won

|label1 = 5 seats (PAP; uncontested)

|value1 = 5.75

|color1 = cyan

|label2 = 76 seats (PAP; contested)

|value2 = 87.36

|color2 = {{party color|People's Action Party}}

|label3 = 6 seats (Workers')

|value3 = 6.89

|color3 = {{party color|Workers' Party (Singapore)}}}}

{{Election results

|image=File:Singapore Parliament 2010.svg

|party1=People's Action Party|votes1=1212154|seats1=81|sc1=–1

|party2=Workers' Party|votes2=258510|seats2=6|sc2=+5

|party3=National Solidarity Party|votes3=242682|seats3=0|sc3=New

|party4=Singapore Democratic Party|votes4=97369|seats4=0|sc4=0

|party5=Reform Party|votes5=86294|seats5=0|sc5=New

|party6=Singapore People's Party|votes6=62639|seats6=0|sc6=New

|party7=Singapore Democratic Alliance|votes7=55988|seats7=0|sc7=–1

|total_sc=+3

|invalid=44737

|electorate=2350873

|turnout=93.18

|source=[https://sg-elections.com/general-election/2011/ Singapore Elections]{{efn|name=RV|139,771 of the 2,350,873 registered voters were in uncontested constituencies, leaving 2,211,102 voters able to vote.}}

}}

{{Bar box

|title=Opposition parties Contested vote

|left1=Party

|right2=Votes

|titlebar=#DDD

|width=500px

|barwidth=400px

|bars=

{{bar percent|Workers'|{{party color|Workers' Party (Singapore)}}|46.60}}

{{bar percent|SPP|{{party color|Singapore People's Party}}|41.44}}

{{bar percent|NSP|{{party color|National Solidarity Party (Singapore)}}|39.26}}

{{bar percent|SDP|{{party color|Singapore Democratic Party}}|36.76}}

{{bar percent|Reform|{{party color|Reform Party (Singapore)}}|31.78}}

{{bar percent|SDA|{{party color|Singapore Democratic Alliance}}|30.06}}

}}

• Constituencies with no comparison to 2006 were either due to them being new constituencies or the constituencies experiencing walkovers in the last election.

• Constituencies with no comparison to 2006 were either due to them being new constituencies or the constituencies experiencing walkovers in the last election. {{efn|name="PESMC"|Punggol East SMC is excluded from the table as there were two opposition parties which competed against the incumbent. If the opposition parties for Punggol East SMC were to sum up (WP had 12,765 votes (41.02%) and SDA had 1,386 votes (4.45%)), the opposition won 14,151 votes (45.47%) while PAP had 16,969 votes (54.52%), which would place it fifth in the table below while WP would place on 13th.}}

• Only the following constituencies may be compared with 2006 results as they existed in both elections, although most had changes in their electoral boundaries.{{efn|name="JBGRC"|If Moulmein-Kallang GRC is considered an existing constituency due to the renaming of Jalan Besar GRC, the results would see a 10.71% swing, which would have placed it sixth in the table.}}

Interpretive maps

File:Map of the PAP's vote share in the Singaporean general election 2011.svg as there was a walkover.]]

The People's Action Party's secretary-general, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, described the results as delivering his party a "clear mandate to form the next government".{{cite news|title=81-6: Workers' Party wins Aljunied GRC; PAP vote share dips to 60.1%|last=Ibrahim|first=Zuraidah|date=8 May 2011|work=Sunday Times|page=1}} In his post-election press conference, Lee said the polls had "heightened (voters') political consciousness and awareness", and admitted that "many of them desire to see more opposition voices in Parliament to check the PAP government".{{cite news|title=Pledge to serve responsibly and humbly|date=8 May 2011|work=Sunday Times}} He described the PAP's loss of Aljunied GRC, which resulted in George Yeo being voted out of Parliament and losing his position as foreign minister, as a "heavy loss to my Cabinet and my team of MPs", but said that the party would "accept and respect the voters' decision".{{cite news|url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081842/1/GE-We-hear-all-your-voices-says-PM-Lee|title=GE "We hear all your voices", says PM Lee – General Election 2011|last=Rajaram|first=Chitra|date=8 May 2011|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=9 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510063628/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081842/1/GE-We-hear-all-your-voices-says-PM-Lee|archive-date=10 May 2011|url-status=dead}} The country's Senior Minister, Goh Chok Tong, also admitted that "there is a sea change in the political landscape" after his team won Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency with just 56.6 percent of the vote.{{cite news|title=SM Goh: The tide was very strong|last=Chow|first=Jermyn|date=9 May 2011|work=Straits Times|page=A6}}

The third cabinet was announced two weeks later where extensive changes were made to the cabinet, and several ministers announcing stepping down from the cabinet, including Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam succeeded Wong as the new DPM, with existing DPM Teo Chee Hean named the new successor to the Coordinating Minister for National Security. Two new MPs were given cabinet portfolios, with Chan Chun Sing given the acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Heng Swee Keat as the Minister for Education, making Heng only the second MP to be ascended directly to cabinet minister, after Richard Hu.{{cite web |title=GE2025: DPM Heng Swee Keat retires after 15 years in politics, says it has been a 'great honour' |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-heng-swee-keat-retire-politics-pap-lawrence-wong-tribute-5083561 |website=www.channelnewsasia.com |access-date=28 June 2025}} It was also announced that Michael Palmer would be named the new Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, replacing outgoing speaker Abdullah Tarmugi.

The Workers Party's secretary-general Low Thia Khiang said his team's win in Aljunied meant that voters had "accepted the WP as a rational, responsible and respected party".{{cite news|title=Voters back WP's style of politics, says Low|last=Kor|first=Kian Beng|author2=Chong, Zi Liang |date=9 May 2011|work=Straits Times|page=1}} In his victory speech, Low declared his win as a "political landmark in modern Singapore".{{cite news|title=Victory for Low, defeat for Chiam|last=Ibrahim|first=Zuraidah|date=8 May 2011|work=Sunday Times|page=4}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081845/1/GE-Aljunied-win-a-political-landmark-says-WPs-Low|title=GE: Aljunied win a political landmark, says WP's Low|date=8 May 2011|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=9 May 2011|archive-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510064656/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081845/1/GE-Aljunied-win-a-political-landmark-says-WPs-Low|url-status=dead}} He added that it meant the electorate wanted to tell the PAP to be "a more responsive, inclusive, transparent and accountable government”.

In a statement on its website, the Singapore Democratic Party thanked its supporters for their support, saying that it was for them that the party "(continues) to labour on in this undemocratic system with all the odds stacked against us."{{cite web|url=http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4821-thank-you|title=Thank you|date=8 May 2011|publisher=Singapore Democratic Party|access-date=9 May 2011}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Its assistant treasurer Vincent Wijeysingha, who stood in Holland–Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency, said that the party's positive vote swing in its contested wards of almost 13 percent from the last elections was an "indicator that things are beginning to move up for our party."{{cite news |last=Saad |first=Imelda |date=8 May 2011 |title=Opposition parties reflect on post-election results |url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081847/1/GE-Opposition-parties-reflect-on-postelection-results |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511135133/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081847/1/GE-Opposition-parties-reflect-on-postelection-results |archive-date=11 May 2011 |access-date=9 May 2011 |work=Channel NewsAsia |publisher=}} In a second statement on its website, the SDP described its results as "disappointing", but promised to "build on the foundation that we have laid" for the next elections.{{cite web|url=http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4822-democrats-start-preparation-for-next-ge|title=Democrats start preparation for next GE|date=9 May 2011|publisher=Singapore Democratic Party|access-date=9 May 2011|archive-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510112257/http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4822-democrats-start-preparation-for-next-ge|url-status=dead}} The party's secretary-general Chee Soon Juan, barred from standing in the election, went on to write an opinion piece for the Guardian, in which he said it "would have been a miracle" had the SDP won any seats, and accused the media in Singapore of suppressing news of the SDP's campaigning.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/10/singapore-election-democracy-new-media|title=Singapore is taking the first steps to true democracy|last=Chee|first=Soon Juan|date=10 May 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 May 2011|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414111900/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/10/singapore-election-democracy-new-media|url-status=live}}

Other than the PAP and WP, the only other opposition seat pre-election had been held by the Singapore People's Party, which lost it in the polls by just 114 votes. Chiam See Tong, the SPP's secretary-general, said his party would fight to win back Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency, and said that despite being defeated in Bishan–Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency, he would continue in politics, health permitting.{{cite news |last=Choo |first=Evelyn |date=8 May 2011 |title=GE: We'll win Potong Pasir back |url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081859/1/GE-Well-win-Potong-Pasir-back |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509192712/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081859/1/GE-Well-win-Potong-Pasir-back |archive-date=9 May 2011 |access-date=9 May 2011 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia}} He also questioned the margin of votes in Potong Pasir, contested by his wife, saying there was "funny business" happening. A petition calling for a by-election in the constituency was started by SPP supporters and Potong Pasir residents.{{cite news|url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110509-0000527/I-think-there-is-some-funny-business-going-on,-says-Chiam|title=I think there is some funny business going on, says Chiam|last=Ng|first=Jing Ying|date=9 May 2011|work=TODAYonline|access-date=9 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510140042/http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110509-0000527/I-think-there-is-some-funny-business-going-on,-says-Chiam|archive-date=10 May 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

The National Solidarity Party, which contested the most seats of all opposition parties, admitted it may have taken on too much, with its leader Goh Meng Seng telling reporters that he would be "personally responsible" for the party's failure to win a single seat. Its star candidate, Nicole Seah, said Singaporeans now had to unite as a country.{{cite news|url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081846/1/GE-Nicole-Seah-urges-Singaporeans-to-come-together-as-one-country|title=GE: Nicole Seah urges Singaporeans to come together as one country|date=8 May 2011|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=9 May 2011|archive-date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511135129/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081846/1/GE-Nicole-Seah-urges-Singaporeans-to-come-together-as-one-country|url-status=dead}} Seah, who contested in Marine Parade, also said there was "so much that needs to be done", and that she would continue her work in the area despite her team's defeat.{{cite news|url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081860/1/GE-NSPs-Nicole-Seah-continues-her-visits-in-Marine-Parade-GRC|title=GE: NSP's Nicole Seah continues her visits in Marine Parade GRC|last=Kelly|first=Rachel|date=8 May 2011|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=9 May 2011|archive-date=9 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509184333/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081860/1/GE-NSPs-Nicole-Seah-continues-her-visits-in-Marine-Parade-GRC|url-status=dead}}

The leader of the newest opposition party contesting the elections, the Reform Party's Kenneth Jeyaretnam, described his party as having "learnt a lot" and said they had "done very well", as the first new party in over 20 years. He added that the party was "very happy" at its result in West Coast Group Representation Constituency, and that its second team had done "creditably" in Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency. Jeyaretnam also said the team being able to win the votes it did despite being a new party meant that its "core values resonate with the voters".{{cite news |date=9 May 2011 |title=Reform Party thanks its supporters |url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081861/1/GE-Reform-Party-thanks-its-supporters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509185317/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081861/1/GE-Reform-Party-thanks-its-supporters |archive-date=9 May 2011 |access-date=9 May 2011 |work=Channel NewsAsia |publisher=}}

The worst-performing party at the polls was the Singapore Democratic Alliance, whose secretary-general Desmond Lim polled under 5 percent of votes in Punggol East Single Member Constituency (the sole three-cornered contest), being the only candidate to lost his S$16,000 election deposit this election. He said voters had voted based on brand name, as the other opposition candidate in the ward was from the WP. The SDA also contested Pasir Ris–Punggol Group Representation Constituency, and Lim said the party was "very happy" at its positive vote swing from 2006 of over 4 percent. However, the SDA's anchorman in the constituency Harminder Pal Singh described the loss as a "time for painful reflection" and said the party would work harder to win more votes.{{cite news |last=Abdul Khamid |first=Hetty Musfirah |date=8 May 2011 |title=GE: We'll be back, says SDA's Desmond Lim |url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081843/1/GE-Well-be-back-says-SDAs-Desmond-Lim |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510070041/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081843/1/GE-Well-be-back-says-SDAs-Desmond-Lim |archive-date=10 May 2011 |access-date=9 May 2011 |work=Channel NewsAsia |publisher=}}

At an ASEAN heads-of-state meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, leaders of ASEAN nations reportedly told S. Jayakumar, Singapore's representative at the event, that they were "saddened, disappointed and surprised" at the news that foreign minister Yeo had been defeated, according to the state-run Straits Times,{{cite news|title=Asean leaders saddened by George Yeo's exit: Jaya|last=Nazeer|first=Zubaidah|date=9 May 2011|work=Straits Times|page=A5}} while at the same meeting the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Tun Razak, said the PAP's win would mean a continuity in understanding between the Malaysian and Singaporean governments on bilateral issues.{{cite news|url=http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=584923|title=BERNAMA – PAP's Victory Favourable To Malaysia-Singapore Ties|last=Yahya|first=Ahmad Fuad|date=8 May 2011|publisher=Bernama|access-date=10 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531115432/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=584923|archive-date=31 May 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The BBC described it as a landmark result.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13313695|title=Opposition gain in Singapore poll|date=2011-05-09|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-04-10|language=en-GB}}

Three Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP) seats were offered after the election to the top three losing opposition candidates. The Singapore People's Party accepted the seat for Lina Loh, ensuring that the Chiam family retained representation in Parliament. While Chiam See Tong has said he is opposed to the scheme, the SPP reasoned that it was "critical" to ensure an "alternative voice in Parliament", to allow the party to "remain engaged in national issues", and to be publicly visible until the next election due by 2016. Loh also pointed out that she was "influenced by the wishes of Potong Pasir residents" and she accepted the post as her losing margin was too small.{{cite news|url=http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/lina-chiam-takes-ncmp-seat-110217866.html|title=Lina Chiam takes up NCMP seat | publisher =SingaporeScene – Yahoo! News|last=Moktar|first=Faris|date=12 May 2011|work=Yahoo!|access-date=15 May 2011}}

The Workers' Party was offered the final two NCMP seats for having the second and third best performing losing candidates, which it accepted despite Low also disputing the scheme. Yee Jenn Jong was thus appointed for his performance in Joo Chiat SMC, but as it had to choose one member from the East Coast GRC team, the younger Gerald Giam was chosen over team leader and party treasurer Eric Tan as part of its leadership renewal process. Tan resigned from the party, citing his disagreement with the appointment.{{cite news|url=http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081881/1/Workers-Partys-Eric-Tan-quits-because|title=Workers' Party's Eric Tan quits because... – General Election 2011|last=Fong|first=Tanya|date=13 May 2011|work=Today|access-date=13 May 2011|archive-date=16 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516064914/http://www.ge.sg/stories/elections2/view/1081881/1/Workers-Partys-Eric-Tan-quits-because|url-status=dead}}

On 16 May 2011, the three proposed NCMPs were formally appointed.{{cite web | url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_669273.html | title=Three NCMPs formally announced | publisher=The Straits Times | date=16 May 2011 | access-date=16 May 2011 | author=Kor, Kian Beng | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518144209/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_669273.html | archive-date=18 May 2011 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}

{{main|2012 Hougang by-election|2013 Punggol East by-election}}

During the parliamentary term following this election, two seats fell vacant throughout 2012 after the MPs resigned following allegations about extramarital affairs. The first was Hougang SMC MP Yaw Shin Leong on 14 February,{{cite news|title=Yaw Shin Leong's Parliament seat to be decided Feb 24|date=17 February 2012 |website=Channel NewsAsia |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1183590/1/.html|access-date=22 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430191736/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1183590/1/.html|archive-date=30 April 2012|url-status=dead}} and the other was Speaker and Punggol East SMC MP Michael Palmer on 12 December.{{cite web|title=SMSes expose Michael Palmer's affair|url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121213-389445.html|publisher=The New Paper|access-date=13 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113182430/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121213-389445.html|archive-date=13 November 2013|url-status=dead}}

This were the first two by-elections to be called in nearly two decades after the 1992 Marine Parade by-election. In the ensuing by-elections, former East Coast GRC WP candidate Png Eng Huat and two-time Punggol East SMC WP candidate Lee Li Lian respectively won those by-elections. Consequently, it was also the second time where a seat changed hands to the opposition after 1981.{{cite news |title=I respect the choice of Punggol East voters: PM Lee |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=26 January 2013 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/i-respect-the-choice-of-punggol-east-voters-pm-lee |access-date=5 September 2020 |last1=Cheam |first1=Jessica }}{{cite news |title=Punggol East by-election: Statement of PM Lee Hsien Loong |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=26 January 2013 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/punggol-east-by-election-statement-of-pm-lee-hsien-loong |access-date=5 September 2020}}{{cite news |title=Low: Don't take by-election result as sign of future trend |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=27 January 2013 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/low-dont-take-by-election-result-as-sign-of-future-trend |access-date=5 September 2020}}

On 3 September, Joseph Ong Chor Teck was arrested for conducting exit poll through Temasek Review, a socio-political website, ahead of the election. It was announced that Ong was released on bail pending further investigations as of 17 October. Conducting exit polls during the election period between the time where the writ of election is issued and election day is an offence under the Parliamentary Election Act, with penalties of a maximum S$1,500 fine or up to a year's imprisonment or both.{{cite web |last1=Shafeeq |first1=Syarafana |title=Public reminded to avoid publishing, reposting election surveys, ads: ELD |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/public-reminded-to-avoid-publishing-reposting-election-surveys-ads-eld |website=The Straits Times |access-date=6 July 2024 |language=en |date=22 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=REMINDER ON LAWS ON ONLINE ELECTION ADVERTISING, ELECTION SURVEYS AND EXIT POLLS |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/press/2023/PR%20on%20Laws%20on%20Online%20Election%20Advertising,%20Election%20Surveys%20and%20Exit%20Polls.pdf |access-date=6 July 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://mothership.sg/2020/06/exit-polls-election-surveys-ge2020/ |title=Here's why you will never see exit poll & election survey results even though it's GE2020 |first=Joshua |last=Lee |date=June 25, 2020 |work=Mothership}}{{cite web |title=Singapore arrests man for conducting election exit poll - Taipei Times |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2011/10/17/2003515986 |website=www.taipeitimes.com |access-date=28 June 2025 |date=17 October 2011}}{{cite web |title=Man linked to Temasek Review arrested, now on bail |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/man-linked-to-temasek-review-arrested--now-on-bail.html |website=Yahoo News |access-date=28 June 2025 |language=en-SG}}

The election saw a heavier use of social and online media compared to 2006 Singapore general election, especially to evade censorship in Singapore. It is widely perceived by the populace that the major state-run newspapers and broadcasters "align[ed] itself with the party's ideals and decisions" and that the electoral system was tilted against the Opposition. It had been difficult to create alternative media until the rise of sites such as The Online Citizen and such internet tools such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs, which saw increased significance in the 2006 elections but became especially prominent in the 2011 elections.{{cite news|last=Fang|first=Charlene|title=Why this Singapore General Election is important|url=http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/tell-me-about-it/charlene-fang-why-singapore-general-election-important-447421|access-date=7 August 2011|newspaper=CNNGo|date=7 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809195526/http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/life/tell-me-about-it/charlene-fang-why-singapore-general-election-important-447421|archive-date=9 August 2011|url-status=dead}} According to The Economist, the PAP's aggressive modernisation of Singapore created "one of the world's most wired societies," leading to new media that "transformed" the electoral scene in Singapore. Characterising the state-run mainstream press as "docile", the Economist also argued that this also forced significantly more news coverage of the Opposition than in previous elections, since the mainstream media feared their readership deserting them. One blogger from CNN wrote, "Thanks to social media, it doesn't matter that the country's largely state-run media leans towards reporting the actions of the PAP, no one's reading anyway.". The Economist however was more cynical in its analysis of the election: "in Singapore, winning 7% of parliamentary seats is tantamount to an opposition triumph".

Traditionally regarded as a PAP "fortress", this marked the first instance where the opposition captured a GRC since the scheme was formed in 1988, five elections prior, where the oppositions had unsuccessfully done so due to ostensible requirements of ensuring minority representation in parliament and extensive resources. GRCs comprise over 86% of the seats, but oppositions in previous elections would contest "less than half the seats". The election saw the most extensive use of co-ordination to avoid "three-cornered fights" and was also notable for seeing "two veteran MPs" making immense risks by choosing to contest in GRCs rather than their traditional SMC safe seats.

With the PAP's team defeated in Aljunied GRC, four of the five members, including Foreign Minister George Yeo and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua, announced their retirements from politics in separate news conferences given in the days after the election.{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666950.html|title=George Yeo exiting politics, will not run for Presidency|last=Li|first=Xueying|date=11 May 2011|work=Straits Times|access-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513060832/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_666950.html|archive-date=13 May 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667375.html|title=Lim Hwee Hua will not contest next election|date=11 May 2011|work=Straits Times|access-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512191013/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667375.html|archive-date=12 May 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} George Yeo, who remained popular online and continued to have "a flood of support" after the election and had been repeatedly urged to contest the next election, or even contest the 2011 Singaporean presidential election turned his supporters down, declaring, "I'm a free spirit, and I don't think I'm temperamentally suited for such a job."{{cite news|last=Ong|first=Dai Lin|title=I'm disappointed, but this is politics, says George Yeo|url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110511-0000297/Im-disappointed,-but-this-is-politics,-says-George-Yeo|access-date=7 August 2011|newspaper=Today (Singapore newspaper)|date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808160117/http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110511-0000297/Im-disappointed,-but-this-is-politics,-says-George-Yeo|archive-date=8 August 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} A fifth candidate, Ong Ye Kung, however, would continue to work in private sector and would later join their team in Sembawang GRC in the next election four years later.{{cite web|title=About Ong Ye Kung|url=https://www.facebook.com/ongyekung/info?tab=page_info|website=facebook|access-date=23 September 2015|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920171900/https://www.facebook.com/ongyekung/info?tab=page_info|url-status=live}}[http://www.pap.org.sg/uploads/ap/7972/documents/ong_ye_kung_cv.pdf Ong Ye Kung's page on the PAP website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812142310/http://www.pap.org.sg/uploads/ap/7972/documents/ong_ye_kung_cv.pdf |date=12 August 2011 }} says he was 42 in 2011, so it is deduced that he was born around 1969 or 1970.{{cite web |title=PAP reveals Sembawang GRC line-up, includes former Aljunied GRC candidate Ong Ye Kung |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/pap-reveals-sembawang-grc-line-up-includes-former-aljunied-grc-candidate-ong-ye-kung |website=The Straits Times |access-date=23 March 2025 |language=en}}

The election results were widely used in national and international discussions that the population was trying to send a message to a ruling party that "can also come across as smug, arrogant and high-handed" despite a win margin of over 20%, which usually counts as a landslide victory for most democratic nations but has been one of the narrowest margins since 1965. The last election with a similarly narrow victory occurred in the 1963 Singapore general election, when the PAP's major opponent was the Barisan Sosialis—which in itself was a splinter group formed from the leftist wing of the PAP, where it had comprised 80% of the PAP grassroots membership, 35 out of the PAP's 51 branch committees and 19 of its 23 organising secretaries. According to the Economist, Singaporeans would prefer not to have an alternative government but a humbler one, as well as a "stronger opposition".

On 14 May, exactly a week after the election, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew announced in a joint statement that they would be quitting the country's Cabinet, saying it was time for a "team of younger ministers" to "engage with this young generation in shaping the future of Singapore."{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_668597.html|title=MM Lee, SM Goh to retire from Cabinet|last=Chang|first=Rachel|date=14 May 2011|work=Straits Times|access-date=14 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516065503/http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_668597.html|archive-date=16 May 2011|df=dmy-all}} In a similar analysis by Bloomberg, the resignations and the ensuing cabinet reshuffle were the actions of a ruling party "seeking to overhaul its image with voters" whose "narrowest election victory on record signaled a shortfall in support among younger voters".{{cite news|last=Adam|first=Shamim|title=Lee Kuan Yew Ends Five-Decade Role in Singapore Cabinet After Poll Setback|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-15/singapore-ruling-party-seeks-to-renew-image-with-lee-kuan-yew-resignation.html|access-date=7 August 2011|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=15 May 2011}} Analysts such as Citigroup economist Kit Wei Zheng believed that Minister Lee had contributed to the PAP's poor performance.{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3748684/lee-kuan-yew-obituary/|title='Father of Singapore' Lee Kuan Yew Dies at 91|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=2020-04-10|archive-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211174249/https://time.com/3748684/lee-kuan-yew-obituary/|url-status=live}}

Lee Kuan Yew was also quoted as saying that a younger generation was required to "carry Singapore forward in a more difficult and complex situation" while Lee Hsien Loong declared the party "would change the way it governs" and do some "soul-searching". A Singapore Management University professor said "[The PAP] will have to demonstrate that it remains a mass movement, and not [Lee Kuan Yew]’s alter ego," noting that younger Singaporeans do not see Lee Kuan Yew with the same godlike perception as older Singaporeans born before 1980.

With the vacation of the Senior Minister roles, the role remained vacant for the next eight years until on 1 May 2019 following Heng Swee Keat's ascension of Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. Goh was also conferred the title of "Emeritus Senior Minister".{{cite web |title=Cabinet reshuffle: Heng Swee Keat to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister; DPMs Teo Chee Hean and Tharman to become Senior Ministers |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/heng-swee-keat-to-be-appointed-deputy-prime-minister-dpms-teo-chee-hean-and-tharman |website=The Straits Times |access-date=28 June 2025 |language=en |date=23 April 2019}}

• Elections in Singapore
• Constituencies of Singapore
• List of Singaporean electoral divisions
• List of political parties in Singapore
• 2012 Hougang by-election and 2013 Punggol East by-election - two by-elections held after the election

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.elections.gov.sg Official elections webpage] – Elections Department Singapore
• [http://www.ge.sg News about the General Election by MediaCorp] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501050348/http://www.ge.sg/ |date=1 May 2011 }}

Other official information

• [http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-218&doctitle=PARLIAMENTARY%20ELECTIONS%20ACT%0a Parliamentary Elections Act] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418015128/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-218&doctitle=PARLIAMENTARY%20ELECTIONS%20ACT%0A |date=18 April 2008 }} Singapore Statutes Online, Chapter 218

{{Singaporean elections}}

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Category:General elections in Singapore