SINGAPORE, May 2 -- As campaigning for the Singapore general election comes to a close, the spotlight on women candidates has taken an unsettling turn - with objectifying catcalls, sexist online remarks, and racist jibes overshadowing political debate and drawing sharp condemnation from the country's leading gender advocacy group.

Yesterday, the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) took to Instagram to denounce the wave of sexist and racist commentary that has dogged several women candidates throughout the campaign.

Calling the behaviour "distasteful" and "dangerous", Aware warned that it could deter future participation by capable women in politics.

"A woman on the ballot should not have to face being objectified, degr...