HOW MUCH DID PARTIES SPEND?
PAP, which contested all 97 seats in 18 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and 15 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), spent S$9.4 million 鈥 with 42.8 per cent, or S$4.03 million, going to non-online advertisements.
The ruling party also spent S$2.04 million on online advertisements and S$1.05 million on rallies.
WP, which fielded 26 candidates in eight constituencies, spent S$1.64 million 鈥 nearly 70 per cent, or S$1.14 million, was dedicated to non-online advertisements. It spent about S$233,000 on rallies, but only S$540 on online advertising, all by Aljunied GRC MP Gerald Giam.
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) was the next highest spender with S$583,440 by 11 candidates. Just over half of this went to non-online advertising, 39 per cent or S$228,520 on rallies and 3 per cent or S$20,000 on online platforms.
This was followed by the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), whose 13 candidates spent S$441,548. Slightly more than half of this, or S$248,736, was on non-online advertisements. Its next biggest expense was rallies, which it spent S$98,739 on, followed by S$52,538 on online advertisements.
PSP was the only party that reported a decline in spending compared with GE2020. Its overall expenses fell by almost 43.5 per cent, down from S$781,275.
Assoc Prof Chong said one reason is that the party fielded fewer candidates this time. However, he added that this could reflect deeper challenges such as limited public financial support.
鈥淭hat is difficult to ascertain for sure without a requirement for public transparency regarding political party financials,鈥 he said.
PSP secretary-general Leong Mun Wai previously said that funding was less of a concern compared to issues such as manpower and communication strategy. The party also emphasised the importance of focusing its efforts on fewer constituencies.
Assoc Prof Chong also observed that the party’s ground presence appeared relatively limited, which could also explain the reduced expenditure.
The National Solidarity Party, which contested 10 seats, was the fifth-biggest spender with S$281,888.
Other parties and their respective expenditures included Red Dot United with S$204,145 for 15 candidates, the Singapore Democratic Alliance with S$193,524 for four candidates, the Singapore People’s Party with S$107,196 for five candidates, the People’s Power Party with S$80,218 for 10 candidates, the People’s Alliance for Reform with S$59,527 for 13 candidates and the Singapore United Party with S$32,789 for five candidates.
Among independent candidates, Mr Jeremy Tan, who contested Mountbatten SMC, spent S$16,075. Mr Darryl Lo, who contested Radin Mas SMC, spent S$12,213.
Candidates also reported costs related to office rental, equipment, supplies and transport.