SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has asked the
Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) to have smaller Group
Representation Constituencies, and to have at least 12 Single
Member Constituencies.
The committee was formed two months ago, the Prime Minister told
Parliament on Monday (Jul 13).
Mr Lee said he asked the committee to consider the population
shifts and housing developments since the last boundary delineation
exercise.
He also asked the committee to have smaller GRCs, "so as to
reduce the average size of the GRCs below five", and to have at
least 12 SMCs.
"As per past practice, the committee is chaired by the Secretary
to the Prime Minister. It is now in the midst of its deliberations
and will make its recommendations to me when ready," he said.
In response to a question by Mr Yee Jenn Jong of the Workers'
Party, Mr Lee said that while Singapore would consider bringing in
outside expertise to advise the EBRC, it is unlikely to have
different political parties working on the boundary
recommendations.
“On the composition of the EBRC: It has for many years comprised
civil servants who have domain knowledge which enables them to make
considered decisions on how to divide up the constituencies -
taking into account, as I have said, population shifts, housing
develepments, and also how to do this in a practical sort of way,
so that we do not have complete upheaval each time there is
redemarcation," said the Prime Minister.
"If there is a need for outside expertise I think that can be
considered. We have no hesitation to look for outside
expertise.
"As for bringing in political parties I’m not sure that’s
entirely a good idea. The Americans do it with political parties,
and the way it is done is usually that the sitting members (of the
House of Representatives) decide on a demarcation.
"And usually what happens is that they carve it up among
themselves. It’s a political deal and I think that’s not a good
arrangement and it’s best we leave this to the civil servants to
work at."
SIGNAL OF AN UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTION?
The committee reviews and draws up the boundaries for election,
and submits a report with its recommendations. The report, when
released by the committee, is seen as one of the clearest signals
that a General Election (GE) is around the corner.
The convening of the committee kickstarts a series of events
that culminates in the nation heading to the polls. Singapore’s
next GE must be held by January 2017.
The expected sequence of events is as follows:
1. Electoral Boundaries Review Committee
convenes
2. Committee submits report with recommendations on
electoral changes
In the lead-up to the two previous GEs in 2006 and 2011, the
committee took about four months after being convened to issue its
report.
3. Parliament dissolved
The Prime Minister may advise the President to dissolve Parliament
by Proclamation in the Gazette before the expiry of its term. Once
Parliament has been dissolved, the GE must be held within three
months. In the last GE, the committee’s report was issued on Feb
24, 2011, and Parliament was dissolved on Apr 19, 2011.
4. President issues Writ of Election
The President, acting on the Prime Minister's advice, issues a Writ
of Election. This will specify the date and location for the
nomination of candidates.
5. Nomination Day takes place
Nomination Day, when prospective candidates submit their nomination
papers, must take place between five days and one month after the
Writ of Election is issued.
6. Polling Day
Polling Day must be held between 10 and 56 days after the Returning
Officer publishes the Notice of Contested Elections after
Nomination Day. For the 2011 GE, Cooling-Off Day, on the eve of
Polling Day, was introduced, when candidates are banned from
campaigning. This was instituted to give voters time to reflect and
make their decision before going to the polls.
- CNA/cy
