Major changes to electoral boundaries

The new electoral boundaries report revealed major changes to the borders of various constituencies that will be contested in Singapore’s next general elections.

The report, which was released and approved on Thursday, saw three new Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) — Chua Chu Kang, Nee Soon and Moulmein-Kallang.

Constituencies are classified as single member constituency (SMC) and group representation constituency (GRC) for single-seat constituency and multiple-seat constituency, respectively. In each GRC, at least one candidate or Member of Parliament (MP) must be from a minority race — either a Malay, Indian or Other.

There will also be an increase in the number of Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) from the present nine to 12.

This comes after the redrawing of boundaries saw eight new SMCs — Hong Kah North, Mountbatten, Pioneer, Punggol East, Radin Mas, Sengkang West, Whampoa and Yuhua. Five existing SMCs have been merged into other GRCs.

Four existing SMCs remain, including opposition-held Hougang and Potong Pasir together with the PAP helmed Joo Chiat and Bukit Panjang.

However, the report also saw two GRCs of Jalan Besar and Hong Kah dissolved, as were the four SMC wards of Chua Chu Kang, MacPherson, Nee Soon Central, Nee Soon East and Yio Chu Kang.

Reappearing for the first time since 1997 are four-member GRCs. There will now be two of them: Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, and a new GRC called Moulmein-Kallang.

Meanwhile, only two six-member GRCs remain — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Ang Mo Kio GRC, and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean’s Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

Both Marine Parade and Tanjong Pagar GRCs, currently helmed by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, respectively, will be downsized from six to five members.

Last October, Mr Lee announced the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee had been convened. Its report was accepted by the Government this week.

As a result of all the changes done to reflect population shifts and housing developments, the total number of constituencies will go up from 23 to 27.

As such, the total number of Member of Parliaments (MPs) will also increase from the current 84 to 87; comprising 12 from SMCs and 75 from GRCs. The average number of MPs per GRC will be five.

Sweeping changes to the electoral boundaries had been expected after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in May 2009 the government’s intention to reduce the average size of GRCs and increase the number of single seat wards.

The measure is part of a raft of electoral reforms to introduce more diversity into the political system. It was also welcomed by the opposition parties which have traditionally found it harder to muster the resources to contest in GRCs.





[ By Faris – February 25th, 2011 ]