SINGAPORE: Singapore’s latest electoral boundary changes reflect population growth, said Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information as well as Health, Dr Janil Puthucheary.
He was responding to questions about what some have called “extensive” changes, following the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report on Tuesday (11 March).
The EBRC created five new Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and six new Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), with several existing wards redrawn or removed.
Only five GRCs and four SMCs remain unchanged from the last election.
For GE2025, Singapore will have 33 electoral divisions—18 GRCs and 15 SMCs—one more of each than in 2020. The number of parliamentary seats will rise from 93 to 97.
Dr Janil said the changes aim to ensure the number of electors per MP stays within a certain limit, citing population growth as the main reason.
He noted it was the first time the Elections Department has provided such detailed explanations for the redrawn map.
Addressing concerns over the extent of changes, Dr Janil said: “If it’s one GRC, one SMC, four extra seats… would you call that extensive? I think it’s appropriate.”
The report confirmed the dissolution of Pasir Ris-Punggol and Jurong GRCs. In their place are new GRCs including Pasir Ris-Changi, Punggol, Jurong East-Bukit Batok, Marine Parade-Braddell Heights, and West Coast-Jurong West.
Hotly contested constituencies in the last election—such as West Coast, East Coast, and Marine Parade—will see significant changes.
West Coast GRC will become West Coast-Jurong West GRC, absorbing parts of Jurong East-Bukit Batok and losing areas like Harbourfront, Sentosa, Dover, and Telok Blangah.
Dr Janil, an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol, said the formation of Punggol GRC was due to the area’s rapid growth and increase in electors.
It was carved from Pasir Ris-Punggol and merged with Punggol West SMC.
The remaining parts of Pasir Ris-Punggol were merged with areas from East Coast GRC to form the new Pasir Ris-Changi GRC.
“Pasir Ris without Punggol has three electoral divisions. You need a bit more population to justify a fourth MP,” he explained.
“It’s a little bit like a sudoku puzzle. You know, you sort of solve one bit, and then it has an impact all the way down through the rest, so there’s a knock-on effect.”
While acknowledging that the changes may spark speculation about future electoral contests, Dr Janil said MPs must continue serving residents regardless of where boundaries are drawn.
“People go where the facilities are, regardless of electoral lines. As politicians and MPs, we serve residents no matter where the boundaries are.”
Netizens Question ‘Population Growth’ Justification
Despite Dr Janil’s explanations, many members of the public were not convinced that population growth alone justified the changes.
Under CNA’s Facebook post, several netizens expressed their scepticism over Dr Janil’s statement that population growth was a key factor in the adjustments to Singapore’s electoral boundaries.
One user questioned the rationale behind the changes, asking why Bukit Batok Single Member Constituency (SMC) had to be removed and merged with Jurong East Group Representation Constituency (GRC) if the adjustments were purely due to population growth.
Another user questioned how the addition of just one GRC and one SMC could result in the number of parliamentary seats increasing from 87 to 97, and raised doubts about the link between population growth and the redrawing of electoral boundaries.
A separate comment cast further doubt on the population growth explanation, pointing out that Singapore has low birth rates.
The user suggested that new citizens should be barred from voting for the first five years and called for the abolishment of GRCs, proposing a return to SMCs.
Netizens Suspect Redrawing Favouring Ruling Party
Beyond questioning the population growth justification, several commenters accused the government of using the boundary changes for political advantage.
One user alleged that all electoral boundaries are arranged to the ruling party’s advantage in order to make it more difficult for opposition parties to compete.
“It makes no difference,” the user added.
Another user remarked that election laws have been repeatedly altered and the constitution amended to ensure the continued hegemony of the People’s Action Party (PAP).
The user highlighted the introduction of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system as an example, claiming it gave the ruling party even greater latitude to gerrymander with impunity.
One user pointed out that GRCs or SMCs with a strong opposition presence—such as West Coast and Bukit Batok—are now being dissected or shifted.
The user emphasised, “That’s a fact that you can’t deny and say it ain’t, or that it’s just coincidence… Because that’s how it looks like.”
Another user criticised the justification of population growth, arguing that Singapore’s low birth rate should not lead to such drastic redrawing of boundaries.
They also noted that opposition strongholds with close vote counts from the last election were being dismantled.
“What a coincidence?” the user remarked.
The user questioned the independence of the Elections Department, suggesting that it was no longer hiding its intentions and was openly telling the public it had “literally gerrymandered.”
Doubts Cast Over Independence of Electoral Boundaries Review Committee
In addition to concerns over political intent, some netizens turned their focus to the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) itself—raising doubts about its neutrality and transparency.
One user questioned why it seemed that PAP Members of Parliament already knew where the new boundaries would be drawn.
“Did the EBRC consult them before redrawing the boundaries?” the user asked.
Another user expressed surprise that PAP ministers were quick to defend the proposed changes, questioning whether they had thoroughly reviewed the recommendations or were involved in shaping them together with the EBRC.
One user went further to accuse the EBRC of rigging the “whole game plan,” alleging that the changes affected constituencies where opposition parties had been actively working over the past five years.
The user questioned why the EBRC could not release its report a year in advance and asked why the committee is always convened very close to the general election.
These comments underscore a deepening public distrust of the electoral boundary review process, with demands for clearer and more transparent procedures.
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