Singapore

Electoral competition is significantly skewed in favor of the regime, to the point where the real, mainstream opposition has a highly unlikely, although realistic, chance to win. The PAP has ruled uninterrupted since Singapore became independent in 1965, winning every single one of Singapore’s 14 parliamentary elections with overwhelming majorities. The more recent Lee Hsien Loong and Lawrence Wong administrations have abandoned the overt repression of political opponents practiced by their predecessors, and opposition parties have been gaining ground. The PAP nonetheless continues to enjoy unfair and significant advantages over its political opponents, including vast control over the election management and oversight mechanisms, and the ability to modify election laws with ease to afford itself an upper hand.

Independent media, political leaders, civil society leaders, organizations, and regular people are seriously and unfairly hindered in their ability to openly criticize or challenge the regime. In recent years, the regime has shut down major independent media outlets, tightened restrictions on peaceful assembly, and censored dissenting views online through a newly enacted speech law. Nevertheless, there remains space for critical discourses on government affairs.

Institutions frequently and unfairly side with the regime when reviewing challenges to its policies or interests. While Singapore courts are generally lauded for their efficiency and regularly hold regime officials accountable, courts very rarely decide against regime interests in cases with strong political undertones. The courts have upheld the constitutionality of laws widely regarded as repressive by human rights groups and have delivered criminal convictions that led to the disqualification of opposition politicians from contesting elections. The Prime Minister wields substantial influence over key bodies responsible for elections, combating corruption, and overseeing media conduct.