Singapore goes to the polls

Singaporeans filed into polling stations Friday following a fiercely contested campaign in which opposition parties sought to challenge the single-party dominance of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

Decades of strong growth have turned the island nation into an international hub for finance with spotless streets and malls, manicured public spaces and living standards unmatched in Southeast Asia.

But a wave of public dissatisfaction over rising cost of living, increasing income disparity, restrictions on free speech, and a tide of immigration have emboldened opposition parties hope to increase their presence in parliament up from the paltry seven seats held by the Workers' Party.

"I don't see how the younger generation can afford a house anymore, or get a job easily with the rate of foreigners coming in at its peak. We need somebody to voice out," said 34-year-old Vijayan, a logistics associate, told the AP news agency.

Opinion polls are illegal in Singapore so confident predictions are impossible. Voting is compulsory and almost 2.5 million citizens are eligible.

A half century of unbroken PAP rule

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has campaigned on a platform touting the country's meteoric rise from a colonial backwater into one of the world's wealthiest societies after 56 years of PAP rule.

"In this election, we are showing a report card. We are proud of it, I hope you are proud of it too. We are asking you for a mandate. Work with us, help us to make things better for Singapore," Lee said in his final stump speech on Wednesday.

For the first time since Singapore's independence the opposition will contest all seats in Parliament, whose strength has been increased to 89 members in Friday's election.

Opposition parties are hoping to take advantage of widening dissatisfaction, focusing their campaign on the bread-and-butter issues of jobs, healthcare and housing.

"So what if our country's GDP is high, if our income inequality is also high? So what if we have high GDP but spend hours in traffic jams due to overcrowding? ... So what if there is constant urban renewal but we have forgotten our heritage and roots?" Sylvia Lim of the Workers' Party told supporters at a recent rally.

The PAP continues to receive public support especially those who say they value stability and are wary of change.

"I think the government has been a bit shaky now since the last time, but every government is like that and bound to make mistakes. I think for now the (ruling) PAP has treated us well." Ali, 62, a retired Singaporean, told the Reuters news agency.

Preliminary results are expected a couple of hours after the polls close at 8 p.m. (1200 UTC).

jar/bw (AP, AFP, Reuters)