SINGAPORE: The Government has released an update on the latest electoral roll, revealing that there are 3,644 more eligible voters than there were during the presidential election last September.
As of the 1st of June, there are 2,713,051 eligible voters on Singapore’s voter roll. This data was released by Education Minister Chan Chun Sing in a written parliamentary response last night (2 July).
According to the latest roll, Ang Mo Kio GRC still has the most voters, but the number has decreased by 1,076 to 188,722.
Yuhua SMC, which has the least voters, now has 20,349 voters, representing decrease of 468 eligible voters.
While the release of the latest electoral roll has triggered speculation about the timing of the next election, Mr Chan also updated that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) has yet to convene.
The EBRC plays a crucial role in delineating constituencies for future general elections based on population shifts and housing developments. The release of its report typically serves as a significant indicator of an impending general election.
Looking back at the past four general elections, the shortest duration from EBRC establishment to report release was approximately two months, followed by one to four months until polling day.
The 2015 election stands out as the swiftest, with the committee established in May, report released in July, and election held in September—an expedited timeline that raised eyebrows, given the passing of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and the SG50 celebrations that year.
Conversely, the subsequent election witnessed a more prolonged process, spanning almost a year from EBRC establishment in August 2019 to polls in July 2020.
Drawing from historical precedents, if the committee were to convene in July, the general election might not occur until end-September at the earliest. However, analysts suggest that the committee may expedite its review process
Should the committee expedite its reviews, observers expect that the government could potentially call for a snap election in September—strategically timed after PM Wong’s inaugural National Day Rally.