The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) effectively won its 10th straight term in power on nomination day on (Oct 25) when the fragmented opposition contested just 29 seats in an expanded 84-seat parliament.

The 22 opposition parties held two of 83 seats in the last parliament and have won four seats, at most, in previous polls.

In the upcoming election on November 3 the opposition is contesting nine single-seat electorates and running candidates in four five-member constituencies.

SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (SDA)

The four-party alliance groups Chiam's Singapore People's Party with the National Solidarity Party, Singapore Justice Party and the Malay-based Pertubohan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura (Singapore Malay National Organisation).

Launched in July, the SDA marks the first time the opposition is trying to campaign under a common banner. The alliance hopes to steer the island state towards a two-party political system.

Chiam, who is chairman of the alliance, has held a seat in parliament since 1984.

In the November 3 poll the SDA is contesting the largest number of seats by any opposition group. It will stand candidates in two five-member wards and three single seat constituencies.

SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC PARTY (SDP)

Formed by veteran politician Chiam See Tong in 1980, the party won three of 81 seats in the 1991 elections -- the highest number held by any one opposition party.

Chiam lost his post to protege Chee Soon Juan in 1993 and quit the party in 1996 to form the Singapore People's Party.

Chee, a vocal advocate of free speech, was jailed for 12 days in 1999 for making speeches without a permit.

The party, a sharp critic of the government, aims to "eliminate all forms of authoritarianism" and "replace elitism with free competition and equal opportunity".

In the November 3 poll the SDP has candidates standing in two five-member wards and one single seat ward.

THE WORKERS' PARTY (WP)

Established in 1957, Singapore's oldest surviving opposition party is best known for its former chief, J.B. Jeyaretnam, who broke the PAP's 13-year parliamentary monopoly in 1981.

Jeyaretnam, a firebrand whose verbal jousts with then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has become the stuff of legend, stepped down in May as head of the party after 30 years.

Jeyaretnam lost his parliamentary seat and barred from contesting elections after losing a bankruptcy appeal. He quit the party days before campaigning began for the current election.

New Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang has held a parliamentary seat since 1991.

The party, a long-time champion of the working class, has set its sights on the "new poor" for the upcoming elections as Singapore battles in worst recession in more than 30 years.

It will contest two single seat wards in the November 3 poll.

DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE PARTY (DPP)

Founded in 1973, The DPP is a father and son team which is standing in two single seat wards.