Some 23,000 voters are expected to cast their votes to choose the new member of parliament for Hougang Single Member Constituency (SMC) tomorrow.

The Hougang by-election will see a straight fight between Desmond Choo from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and Png Eng Huat from the opposition Workers’ Party (WP).

Last night, both PAP and WP held their final rallies as today is the cooling-off period.

The single-seat ward, which has been in the hands of WP for the past 20 years, fell vacant after the party expelled the incumbent, Yaw Shin Leong on Feb  15 this year, following reports of his personal indiscretions.

In the May 2011 general election, Yaw won the Hougang seat with about 65 percent of the votes against Choo.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was earlier reported urging Hougang voters to make a fresh start by voting for PAP’s Choo, who would work with the government to improve their lives.

During the final campaign, PAP leaders stressed the importance of choosing the right candidate to bring about a turning point.

Similarly, WP chairperson Sylvia Lim during the party’s final rally, urged the residents to support her colleague, Png.

- Bernama