SDP launches petition to reform Singapore’s electoral system including abolishing GRC system

SINGAPORE: On Sunday (May 18), at an appreciation dinner for the members of the Singapore Democratic Party, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan announced the beginning of its “Renew, Rebuild, Reignite” campaign, which includes seeking the reform of Singapore’s electoral system.

In the May 3 polls, SDP lost in all the constituencies where it fielded candidates, including Dr Chee at Sembawang West SMC and party chair Paul Tambyah at Bukit Panjang SMC. The results were a disappointment to both men. While Dr Chee’s vote share was the highest in the four times he has run for Parliament, he still fell short of winning a seat. Dr Tambyah, meanwhile, lost 7.65 percentage points from when he first ran against the incumbent from the ruling People’s Action Party, Liang Eng Hwa, in 2020.

Nevertheless, the losses have not stopped the party from moving forward with its new campaign. On Sunday, SDP launched a petition on Change.org titled “Reform Singapore’s Electoral System” in order to reflect “the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and democratic integrity.”

It emphasised, however, that the six demands outlined in the petition are non-partisan but rather are “foundational principles of good governance and democratic integrity.”

“Singapore is ready to take the next step forward in its political maturity by ensuring our elections are genuinely free and fair,” the petition adds.

6 Demands

The petition’s six demands are as follows. First, the SDP is calling for the Elections Department to be removed from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Next, the party is calling for an “end to gerrymandering” through the reform of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC).

Importantly, another call is for the abolition of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) System, which The Workers’ Party, Singapore’s biggest opposition party and the only one that will be represented in the incoming Parliament, has also called for.

SDP is also calling for a campaign period of a minimum of three weeks, whereas it normally lasts less than 10 days; as well as a minimum six-month time period between the announcement of boundary changes to electoral districts and the dissolution of Parliament.

Finally, the party is calling for a review of the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (NPPA), which the SDP says would allow independent media.

“A free press is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. A comprehensive review of the NPPA to permit the establishment of independent news companies is essential for fair coverage of elections, political education, and democratic participation,” the petition reads.

Dr Tambyah was quoted as saying in a CNA report that the petition is just a beginning, one that could develop into legal challenges. He added the hope that SDP would be able to sustain its momentum.

So far, almost 3,000 people have signed the petition. /TISG

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