Pritam Singh can run in GE2025

The Elections Department (ELD) has issued a statement after Workers' Party leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Pritam Singh was found guilty of two charges of lying to Parliament on Feb. 17, 2025.

ELD stated in a Facebook post on the same day that the criterion to be disqualified as an MP is based on a sentence imposed for a single offence.

Sentences for separate offences cannot be added together.

An MP convicted of multiple offences, with a sentence imposed for each not exceeding a year of imprisonment or a fine of S$10,000, will not be disqualified from Parliament.

Pritam Singh found guilty, fined

Earlier in the day, Singh was handed two fines of S$7,000 by Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan, the maximum penalty for each charge under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act.

Back in 2022, Parliament raised the threshold for the minimum fine for the disqualification of MPs from S$2,000 to S$10,000.

It was initially unclear to some as to whether the total fine of S$14,000 (should the sentence be upheld) would be enough to disqualify Singh as an MP.

However, as per ELD's statement, it's apparent that even if the sentence is not changed, Singh can still serve as an MP and stand in the next general election.

Singh himself has said he will appeal the sentence, and he plans to stand as a candidate in the upcoming general election.

Top image by Andrew Koay.