Candidates & supporters arrive at Nomination Centre

SINGAPORE: Candidates and their supporters have been streaming into the North Vista Secondary School, the nomination centre for the Punggol East by—election on January 26.

The gates of the centre at Rivervale Link opened at 10am.

The People’s Action Party’s (PAP) candidate Dr Koh Poh Koon arrived with more than a hundred supporters. Among them are Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Chan Chun Sing and caretaker MP of Punggol East Mr Teo Ser Luck.

Mr Ooi Boon Ewe and Mr Zeng Guoyuan, who are likely to contest as independent candidates, as well as Mr Desmond Lim, who is campaigning on a Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) ticket, are also at the centre.

Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam of the Reform Party arrived at about 10:45am.

The Workers’ Party’s choice, Ms Lee Li Lian, arrived at about 10.55am, flanked by party chairman Ms Sylvia Lim and MP for Hougang Mr Png Eng Huat.

The SDA’s Desmond Lim, who was accompanied by about 80 supporters, told reporters that a multi—cornered fight is good. He said it shows there is change in the political climate in Singapore.

— CNA/ck/al