Workers’ Party’s Response To The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee Report

(first released to media on 24 Feb 2011)

The Workers’ Party notes that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) Report dated 24 February 2011 has created several new constituencies and dissolved others. As usual, no specific reasons were given for the changes. However, indications of gerrymandering are apparent.

Two GRCs were dissolved – Jalan Besar GRC and Hong Kah GRC. These happen to have been helmed by former Cabinet Ministers Dr Lee Boon Yang and Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, both of whom have expressed clear wishes to retire from politics.

Aljunied GRC, which WP contested in the 2006 General Elections, has seen a significant boundary change. A total of nine polling districts under Hougang-Aljunied have been carved out – seven given to Ang Mo Kio GRC, and two to Pasir Ris Punggol GRC. These are polling districts which are close to Hougang SMC and where WP has significant support. Instead, six polling districts have been ported over from Bedok North (Marine Parade GRC). It should be noted that the numbers of voters under the former Aljunied GRC boundary were not significantly different from those under the new boundary, and were still well within the voter ratios recommended by the EBRC for 5 member GRCs.

On top of that, Nee Soon Central and Nee Soon East, 2 of the SMCs where WP had also contested, were dissolved. Instead a 5 member Nee Soon GRC has been formed.

Some tweaks were also noted in the boundaries of East Coast GRC and Joo Chiat SMC.

Moving forward to the GE, WP would wish to contest in the areas it is more familiar with.  In this regard, the SMCs of interest are Hougang, Joo Chiat, and the new Punggol East SMC and Sengkang West SMC, both of which are located close to Aljunied GRC.  The GRCs WP would likely look at are Aljunied GRC, East Coast GRC, Nee Soon GRC and Moulmein-Kallang GRC.

The above are the Party’s initial responses and are subject to further consideration by the Party in the days ahead.

Sylvia Lim
Chairman
Workers’ Party