SINGAPORE - Aljunied GRC Member of Parliament Pritam Singh has been named as the Workers' Party's assistant secretary-general, a post that had been vacant since 2006 and which now marks him as a front runner to take the reins of the party.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, also an Aljunied GRC MP, was made the WP's vice-chairman.

These office bearers were determined on Tuesday night at the first meeting of the party's central executive council since it was elected at internal party polls more than a week ago.

Aljunied GRC MP Chen Show Mao, who mounted an unprecedented challenge on WP secretary-general Low Thia Khiang for the helm of the party, retained his position as treasurer in the top decision-making body.

Mr Low fought off the contest with 61 votes to Mr Chen's 45.

The two who nominated Mr Chen for the post - former deputy treasurer L. Somasundaram and council member John Yam - lost their bids for re-election to the Council.