File photo of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (AFP/POOL/Matt Rourke)Electoral Boundaries Review Committee convened, PM Lee tells
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Electoral Boundaries Review Committee convened, PM Lee tells Parliament
The convening of the committee, which reviews and draws up the boundaries for constituencies, is typically a sign that the next General Election could be held soon.
- POSTED: 13 Jul 2015 13:32
- UPDATED: 13 Jul 2015 14:37
File photo of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (AFP/POOL/Matt Rourke)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
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
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
1/2 - if started in May/June, report should be submitted in September/October/November.
3/4 - if two months, it's in November/December/January. if three months, it's in December/January/February.
5 - if two months, earliest is in November/December/January, latest is in January/February/March. if three months, earliest is in December/January/February, latest is in February/March/April.
6 - this one I am not sure. but apparently is between 0 to 2 months after 5. So, earliest in November, latest in June.
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Do a search, election dept in sg is under singapore govt (?) .
UniqueLEE Singapore!
Why is it not independent?
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Do a search, election dept in sg is under singapore govt (?) .
UniqueLEE Singapore!
Why is it not independent?
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Lee Hsien Loong is secretary general of PAP, so elections commission is actually controlled by PAP head.
Something's wrong.
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In a truly democratic country , this is not so.
die die want to win.
sure they will continue to win. 60% are the stupidest electorate in the world to keep voting in a govt which later they complain about the way they are treated by the very party they vote. Damn daft!
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there are always "extra boxes and contractors" in need.
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Originally posted by FireIce:
meow ish meow
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who are you ?
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.
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salam kenal gan & sist