Follow our live coverage here.

SINGAPORE - Every vote will be vital to the PAP in East Coast GRC, and the ruling party’s team there will not take anything for granted, said Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong.

During a media interview on April 15, Mr Tong was asked for his thoughts about a contest against the opposition WP and how confident he was, given the PAP’s narrow win in the constituency at the last election in 2020.

“We don’t take anything for granted,” said Mr Tong.

“Every vote will be vital and critical for us, and we will endeavour to persuade our voters, our residents of East Coast, that we merit and we deserve to win their vote of confidence and trust.”

The PAP garnered 53.39 per cent of the vote in East Coast GRC at the last election, with the WP capturing 46.61 per cent.

Mr Tong was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a briefing for the launch of the East Coast Plan website, which sets out the plan’s history, as well as initiatives that the PAP’s team in the constituency has in the pipeline.

He added that while the most important aspect of an MP’s job is looking after residents, voters also need to consider Singapore’s broader interests.

“We respect our opponents, whoever they might be, but we do want to emphasise the work that has been done, and we will continue to endeavour to work hard to look after our residents,” he said.

“An election is not just about the local MP, but also the selection of the Government, and the ability of the Government to look after Singapore and Singaporeans’ longer-term interests.”

Mr Tong was also asked if he could confirm if he would be the anchor minister for East Coast GRC.

In response, Mr Tong said this will be confirmed only when the team has been cleared by the party’s secretary-general, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

“There’s a regular cadence of teams being announced, starting a few days ago, and in due course, (the slate at) East Coast GRC will be announced,” he said.

“All I will say is that for myself, I’ve asked to be in East Coast,” said Mr Tong, who oversaw the Joo Chiat ward under Marine Parade GRC before Parliament was