Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, a PAP candidate (with hand risen). (Photo: AFP/VNA)Singapore’s general election last month cost candidates more than 7.1 million SGD or 5 million USD, the country’s media reported on October 29.
The People’s Action Party (PAP) candidates spent 5.3 million SGD, while the combined expenses of its eight opposition parties were pegged at 1.8 million SGD.
Total spending was 30 percent higher than that of the 2011 general election. The average spending per voter, however, was below the maximum budget of 4 SGD, which rose this year from 3.5 SGD in 2011.
The PAP spent 2.16 SGD per voter while the opposition parties paid 73 cents.
Candidates were required to submit their election expenses to ensure accountability and transparency for the campaign.
Most of the expenses were for advertising on social media, mobile devices and television, as well as meals for volunteers.-VNA
