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Singapore to hold general election on Sept. 11 in test of ruling party's 50-year dominance

Associated Press
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FILE - In this April 27, 2011 file photo, then Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew waves to supporters as he arrives at an elections nomination center, in Singapore. Singapore will hold a general election on Sept. 11, 2015, the government announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, in what is expected to be a tight contest for the ruling party that has dominated politics in the city-state for 50 years but is now facing growing disaffection among citizens. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this file photo taken on April 28, 2011, thousands of people gather for an opposition party rally in Singapore. Singapore will hold a general election on Sept. 11, 2015, the government announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, in what is expected to be a tight contest for the ruling party that has dominated politics in the city-state for 50 years but is now facing growing disaffection among citizens.(AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this April 27, 2011 file photo, supporters cheer on their party leaders in Singapore. Singapore will hold a general election on Sept. 11, 2015, the government announced Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, in what is expected to be a tight contest for the ruling party that has dominated politics in the city-state for 50 years but is now facing growing disaffection among citizens. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File) (The Associated Press)

Singapore's government has announced that it will hold a general election on Sept. 11.

The polls, announced Tuesday, are expected to be a test of the ruling People's Action Party's 50-year dominance in policy making.

The party's founder and Singapore's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, died in March at age 91.

The PAP currently holds 80 out of 87 seats in Parliament. It received just 60 percent of all votes cast in the 2011 general election, in its worst electoral performance, and has lost two by-elections since then.

A system of electing members of Parliament in groups of four to six has helped the party maintain a commanding majority. Groups fielded by the PAP are usually led by senior office holders.