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Singapore's ruling party retains power in vote under pandemic cloud

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (KUNA) -- Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) kept its grip on power despite significant grounds gained by opposition groups in a vote overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, election results showed on Saturday.
The PAP claimed 83 out of 93 seats in parliament, with the remaining 10 won by the opposition Workers' Party in the most substantial gain made by opposition lawmakers, handing the ruling party a 10 percent dip in popular vote, the results showed.
The ruling PAP looks forward to working with the Workers' Party to push for more national dialogue in parliament, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told a press conference after his party's unconvincing win, saying the percentage of popular vote was not as "high as I had hoped for." Donning face masks and wearing gloves, Singaporeans flocked to polling stations a day earlier in the highest voter turnout for a general election in the country's history, with 95.63 percent of the electorate having cast their ballots. (end) aab.nam