Singaporeans began voting on Saturday in the most hotly contested parliamentary election since independence, although analysts say the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) is almost certain to be returned to power in the wealthy city-state.
Voting is compulsory in Singapore, a former British colony which in 1965 became a republic after breaking away from Malaysia, and a steady stream of voters was filing into polling stations since they opened at 8 a.m. (1 a.m. British time).
Voting ends at 8 p.m. and results should be known a few hours after that. About 2.2 million people are eligible to vote.
"This election is different. So many constituencies are being contested and the opposition has fielded many quality candidates," said Andrew Poh, a regional manager with an aviation firm.
The opposition is contesting 82 of 87 seats in parliament, the most ever, with the PAP returned unopposed from one, small constituency. At the last election in 2006, just over half the seats were contested.
Analysts say the PAP's huge majority of 82 seats in the previous 84-seat house may be cut back as the opposition benefits from irritation over sharp income disparities and an unwelcome influx of foreigners.
Several prominent Singaporeans have joined the various opposition parties to run against candidates from the ruling party.
But the PAP is seen likely to win anyway, due to strong grassroots support and the backing of older Singaporeans who have seen the city transformed from a sleepy port to a modern, world class financial hub under its rule.
Opinion polls are not published in Singapore but an online poll conducted by Australian group UMR Research indicates that the PAP's share of the vote may fall to 61 percent from about 67 percent in 2006.
Voting is compulsory in Singapore, a former British colony which in 1965 became a republic after breaking away from Malaysia, and a steady stream of voters was filing into polling stations since they opened at 8 a.m. (1 a.m. British time).
Voting ends at 8 p.m. and results should be known a few hours after that. About 2.2 million people are eligible to vote.
"This election is different. So many constituencies are being contested and the opposition has fielded many quality candidates," said Andrew Poh, a regional manager with an aviation firm.
The opposition is contesting 82 of 87 seats in parliament, the most ever, with the PAP returned unopposed from one, small constituency. At the last election in 2006, just over half the seats were contested.
Analysts say the PAP's huge majority of 82 seats in the previous 84-seat house may be cut back as the opposition benefits from irritation over sharp income disparities and an unwelcome influx of foreigners.
Several prominent Singaporeans have joined the various opposition parties to run against candidates from the ruling party.
But the PAP is seen likely to win anyway, due to strong grassroots support and the backing of older Singaporeans who have seen the city transformed from a sleepy port to a modern, world class financial hub under its rule.
