Controversy Arises Over Suggestions to Involve Political Parties and Set Fixed Criteria
In a response to a motion filed by opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), Education Minister Chan Chun Sing rejected calls for increased political involvement in the electoral boundary review process. The motion, filed by Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency MPs Hazel Poa and Leong Mun Wai, sought greater transparency and fairness in how electoral boundaries are determined.
Chan emphasized that involving political parties in the process could politicize the review and lead to gerrymandering. The government also disagreed with proposals to implement a fixed formula for electoral boundaries, arguing that it could hinder the effectiveness of the process. The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC), which is responsible for overseeing boundary changes, has yet to be convened.
The PSP’s motion proposed several reforms, including the publication of voter numbers for each constituency and clear criteria for boundary changes. They suggested a fairer distribution of voters per Member of Parliament (MP) and the introduction of “major” and “minor” boundaries to minimize gerrymandering. The opposition also called for the composition of the EBRC to be codified in law to ensure independence and prevent conflicts of interest.
Despite these suggestions, Chan maintained that the current system balances population changes and geographical considerations effectively. He dismissed the opposition’s criticism, stating that the proposals would only complicate the process further. He also argued that, while transparency is important, it would not satisfy political parties if they disagreed with the outcome.
The motion was ultimately rejected by Parliament, with 76 MPs voting against it, while the opposition MPs supported it. The debate highlighted ongoing concerns about the electoral boundary review process, as well as the broader issue of fairness in Singapore’s political system.
