The Elections Department (ELD) announced on 2 January 2025 that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) has not yet been formed.
This confirmation, provided in response to media queries, underscores that official preparations for Singapore’s next general election, which must take place by 23 November 2025, remain at an early stage, with the EBRC yet to be formed.
The EBRC plays a crucial role in every election cycle, reviewing and adjusting Singapore’s electoral map based on population changes and housing developments to ensure equitable voter distribution across electoral divisions.
Its absence at this stage has raised questions about election readiness but does not necessarily signal delays, experts suggest.
Experts weigh in on the timeline
National University of Singapore associate professor of political science Chong Ja Ian told CNA that while the EBRC’s formation is pending, it is not unusual for the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) to manage electoral timelines strategically.
“When exactly to hold a general election is at the discretion of the ruling party, as long as it is within the timeframe,” he explained. “The EBRC can complete its work in weeks, and a GE can be held shortly after.”
Also speaking to CNA, independent political observer Felix Tan speculated that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong might prefer to complete key government priorities, such as the February budget, before convening the EBRC.
Tan estimated that forming the committee in February could allow it one to three months to finalise its report, potentially setting the election for May or June.
Both experts emphasised the importance of opposition parties introducing candidates early, noting that delayed announcements could disadvantage them in a compressed campaign season.
Historical patterns inform expectations
Singapore’s historical approach to elections provides further context.
The EBRC’s work and subsequent election announcements often follow unpredictable timelines. In some cases, elections have been held as soon as one month after the release of the committee’s boundary report, while in others, the process has taken nearly a year.
For example, the EBRC was last convened in August 2019, ahead of the 2020 election, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, elections in 2015 and 2006 featured varying intervals between committee formation, report release, and polling day.
Observers have noted that this unpredictability often catches opposition parties off guard, making it challenging for them to prepare adequately.
This difficulty is particularly acute when constituencies are reshaped, merged, or single-member constituencies are removed, forcing opposition parties to recalibrate their strategies with limited notice.
Strategic considerations for the 2025 election
While some experts anticipate a mid-year election, the timing of Singapore’s 14th general election will likely align with significant national events, including the country’s 60th anniversary of independence (SG60) in August 2025.
This milestone offers the PAP a prime opportunity to highlight achievements through events like the National Day Rally.
The Rally, traditionally held shortly after National Day on 9 August, could serve as a platform for PM Wong to address the nation before dissolving Parliament.
This approach may mirror the strategy employed during Singapore’s 2015 Golden Jubilee celebrations, though without a comparable unifying event like the passing of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Despite the EBRC’s absence, preparatory activities continue. The ELD has revised polling district boundaries, updated voter rolls, and trained 50,000 public officers to oversee nomination, polling, and counting activities.
Given constitutional requirements and historical trends, a September 2025 polling date appears likely.
If Parliament dissolves by 23 August, the constitutional deadline marking the end of its five-year term, early September—specifically Saturday, 6 September—emerges as a probable election date.
