SINGAPORE - The voting age should be lowered from 21 to 18 to encourage young Singaporeans to take an early interest in politics and governance in Singapore, said the Workers' Party's (WP) candidate Bernard Chen.

Mr Chen, who opened the WP's final rally at Bedok Stadium, said he believed young Singaporeans could take part in the political process and "do it well".

"The moment our young people can vote for the future of this nation, is the moment that our people can dream of an empowered future together," said Mr Chen, 29, who is running in MacPherson SMC.

Mr Chen is in a three-cornered fight against the People's Action Party's Tin Pei Ling, 31, and the National Solidarity Party's Cheo Chai Chen, 64.

And even as he commended the PAP's Ms Tin for "upholding a clean campaign", he said that more PAP leaders should stand in single seats.

"I've been trying to earn the support of each and every voter. If Ms Tin Pei Ling can run in a single seat, I am sure all our present and future ministers can hold their own and contest in a single seat," he added.