The candidates

PAP to resume line-up announcements today

Introduction of candidates to be completed a few days before Nomination Day

The People's Action Party Bedok Branch is a hive of activity as party members and helpers gather to set the PAP machinery in full action for the coming general election. PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

The People's Action Party will resume introducing its candidates today according to the constituencies they will stand in, said organising secretary Ng Eng Hen.

The PAP slates for Marine Parade GRC and Nee Soon GRC will be introduced this morning. The candidates for East Coast GRC and the newly formed single-seat ward of Fengshan will be unveiled tomorrow.

The final lot of introductions are for four of the GRCs and two of the single-seat wards, including Punggol East, where the PAP will face off with the Workers' Party.

Last night, Dr Ng told The Straits Times that the final set of introductions will continue until the end of this week.

"A few days before Nomination Day, we will have presented all our candidates," he added.

However, the party is still in the final stages of ironing out its slate in Aljunied GRC, which is held by the Workers' Party (WP).

The Straits Times understands that the PAP will unveil its line-up in the opposition-held constituency on Friday, four days before Nomination Day.

As for the WP, it will begin formally unveiling its candidates today, though where they stand will not be made known until Nomination Day.

Explaining the pace of the PAP introductions, which began on Aug 12, Dr Ng said: "We wanted to give enough time for people to digest (the slates), so we spaced them out."

This is in line with the PAP's decision to give residents more information and time to familiarise themselves with its candidates, he added.

Several PAP candidates who visited residents at home last night also emphasised the importance of consistent service.

"It's about consistently working for the people over the long term, not trying to convince them or make promises at the last minute," said Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Teo Ser Luck. Former defence chief Ng Chee Meng, his GRC running mate, was also out visiting residents..

Likewise, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, who visited residents in Tampines Street 21 with new face Cheng Li Hui, said his team had been working the ground since the previous general election in 2011.

He added that they had also been proactive in initiating programmes.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing said: "The election is not about what you do now, but what you have done consistently over the last four years.

"So long as we have done our work conscientiously, the residents will be able to tell the difference."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 26, 2015, with the headline PAP to resume line-up announcements today. Subscribe