The mild election fever in Singapore has went up another notch.

The Singapore Democratic Party, probably the best organised political party without a parliamentary seat, is kick-starting its formal general election campaigning on Feb. 23, 2019.

With more than two years before the next GE has to happen, the runway is long.

Early election prediction

In a blog post on Jan. 31, the opposition political party led by secretary-general Chee Soon Juan rationalised why it is predicting an early election in Singapore to be called: Events here might not augur well for the incumbent.

Circumstances

In a blistering critique of the ruling government, the SDP announcement said:

The PAP is coming under withering criticism for its policy blunders and leadership failures. Citizens are beginning to question whether the current crop of leaders are up to the challenge of taking Singapore forward.

Given the circumstances, PM Lee will be sorely tempted to call for an earlier GE rather than allow things to worsen. Elections at the end of this year seems increasingly likely.

It would then be a risk to prolong the wait as things might get worse and calling a late election will be untimely.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had also said last year that it is "always possible" to have the election in 2019.

Incumbent benefits

However, this rhetoric goes against historical evidence.

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong pushed the election to November 2001 from 2002, despite Singapore facing its worst economical crisis since independence due to the events of September 11 attacks in the United States.

The electorate, those who could vote despite the extensive walkovers that year, voted in a pattern that suggested a flight to safety and giving the incumbent ruling party a decisive mandate.

SDP well-prepared

The post also said the SDP has been preparing for more than half a year just for the campaign kick-off.

According to watchers of the political scene, preparations have been ongoing for the SDP since April 2018.

The next election is due April 2021.

The SDP campaign kick-off event will take place later in February and it is open to interested Singaporeans.

SDP Campaign Kick-Off 2019

Saturday, Feb. 23, 2pm

115 Eunos Ave 3, #02-04