The stage is set for potential three-cornered fights in two major group representation constituencies (GRCs) as the National Solidarity Party (NSP) announced its plans to contest Sembawang and Tampines GRCs in the upcoming General Election on May 3.
NSP secretary-general Spencer Ng, 45, confirmed on April 20 that the party will field candidates in both constituencies, setting up contests against the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and People’s Action Party (PAP) in Sembawang, and the Workers’ Party (WP) and PAP in Tampines.
The party also unveiled two new faces: Verina Ong, 46, a polytechnic lecturer, and Zee Phay, 32, a financial planner. The full slates for both GRCs have yet to be revealed.
Speaking after a walkabout at Kampung Admiralty, Mr Ng said the party’s decision to stay in both constituencies was made after assessing the landscape and other parties’ intentions. “To balance our philosophy, our idea of opposition unity, we will let Dr Chee have a straight fight with Ms Poh Li San,” he added, referring to SDP chief Chee Soon Juan’s contest against the PAP in the newly carved out Sembawang West SMC.
NSP will not be contesting Sembawang West SMC, Jalan Besar GRC, Tampines Changkat SMC, or Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC — a move Mr Ng described as a nod to cooperative opposition politics.
The party’s slogan for this election is “Your future, our priority. A bright future for Singapore.”
NSP has a long-standing presence in Sembawang GRC, where it garnered 27.72% of the vote in 2015 and improved slightly to 32.71% in 2020. The PAP team in 2020 was led by current Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is now heading the party into GE2025.
With this announcement, both Sembawang and Tampines GRCs are shaping up to be closely watched battlegrounds, with multiple opposition parties vying to challenge the ruling party’s strongholds.
