2006 General Election
On 16 April 2006, SDA announced that in the upcoming general election, it was aiming to win 15 seats. The SDA also wanted to set up a viable Shadow Cabinet if it won two GRCs and four single-seat wards. The target was outlined in a soft launch of its manifesto online, on the website of the Singapore People's Party. The SDA had candidates running for three GRCs and four SMCs (Jalan Besar GRC, Tampines GRC, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Chua Chu Kang SMC, Yio Chu Kang SMC, MacPherson SMC and Potong Pasir SMC). In total, the SDA contested 20 seats. SDA Chairman Chiam See Tong made a political broadcast for the SDA on 29 April. He argued that a multi-party system is needed for democracy to exist in Singapore, and that a free Singapore with room for diverse views and opinions was necessary for the social, cultural and political wellbeing of the people. He urged people to vote for the opposition to ensure that Singapore would not degenerate into a one-party state, saying that "a vibrant and cosmopolitan Singapore needs creativity of the mind", and that "these can only flourish in an atmosphere of freedom and an environment where there is no fear". He reminded viewers of the old saying "absolute power corrupts absolutely".
Chiam was re-elected as MP for Potong Pasir at the general election. However the SDA did not win any other seats. Steve Chia lost his position as a non-constituency MP. Though Chia increased his share of the vote in Chua Chu Kang to 39.63%, this was lower than the 43.9% gained by the Worker's Party in Aljunied GRC. The role of de facto leader of the opposition in Parliament therefore passed from Chiam to the Workers' Party leader Low Thia Khiang.
Read more about this topic: Singapore Democratic Alliance
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