Singapore election: do politicians ‘abandon’ residents when they contest elsewhere?

But this rhetoric of accusing politicians of abandoning voters when they switch constituencies to better their chances of getting into parliament will easily backfire, political analysts say.

“It would be asking too much of politicians and parties to continue contesting in the same constituency, especially when they have not been successful in getting elected in the constituency,” said Eugene Tan, a law professor and political observer from the Singapore Management University.

“This is more campaign rhetoric designed to throw doubt on the sincerity or commitment of a party or a candidate in seeking election.”

On Thursday night at a rally, Singapore’s Health Minister Ong Ye Kung called on opposition politician and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan to better explain why he “abandoned” the western town of Bukit Batok where he lost in the last election, to contest in Sembawang West, in a northern region of the city state.

“To be fair, there’s nothing wrong with making a calculated political move and switching constituencies. Nothing wrong at all. It happens in politics, but be upfront with voters. Don’t tell Sembawang West residents, I’m doing it for you,” Ong said.