The Workers' Party (WP) has edged out the People's Action Party (PAP) in the newly-formed four-person Sengkang GRC, obtaining 52.13 per cent of the votes.

This makes Sengkang GRC the second GRC to be held by the opposition, apart from Aljunied GRC, which was also claimed by WP in a watershed election in 2011.

Aljunied GRC was claimed by the WP 20 years after Hougang SMC

The implications of Sengkang GRC being captured by the WP during this election could be far-reaching.

Hougang SMC, which is the longest-held opposition ward in Singapore, was formed in 1988, and was initially held by the PAP.

WP's former secretary-general Low Thia Khiang captured the seat in the 1991 General Elections, and the SMC remained a WP stronghold until the present day.

Although Low managed to successfully defend his seat for multiple elections, it was only in 2011 that Low took a team to Aljunied GRC, and wrested the ward away from the PAP in a historic move.

In total, it took 20 years after capturing Hougang SMC for the WP to claim its first GRC.

Now, nine years after the watershed election in 2011, the WP has managed to repeat their performance, by claiming Sengkang GRC.

Police investigations ongoing for Raeesah Khan

Sengkang GRC was seen as a hot seat by many in the days prior to Polling Day, and received the media attention befitting its status.

During a televised live debate between four political parties, on July 1, WP's Jamus Lim was the standout candidate, speaking eloquently and holding his own in a debate with Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

He quickly warmed the hearts of netizens, especially with his closing line, where he claimed that the WP was not trying to deny the PAP a mandate, but merely to deny them a "blank cheque".

On the other hand, Raeesah Khan, who is also a member of WP's Sengkang team, was also in the media spotlight, albeit for different reasons.

Two police reports were lodged against Khan over alleged comments made about race on social media, and she has since issued a public apology.

WP's Pritam Singh also said that he had no regrets fielding her as a candidate, stating that she had been volunteering in the community for a year, and that she takes each case during Meet-the-People sessions seriously, regardless of race and religion.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Recount?

Some may remember the 2015 General Elections, where a recount for Aljunied GRC was necessary, due to the close fight between the PAP and the WP.

However, although the Sengkang fight this time round may be perceived as a similarly close fight, it did not meet the requirements for a recount to be deemed necessary.

A recount of the votes is only allowed if the vote difference is equal to or less than 2 per cent of the total number of valid votes cast, which is not the case this time.

In 2015, WP won Aljunied GRC with 50.95 per cent of votes, versus the PAP's 49.05 per cent.

Top image via Jamus Lim/FB.