SINGAPORE: In a passionate plea for a more equitable political landscape, Opposition Leader Pritam Singh has challenged Singaporeans to actively participate in shaping a "balanced political system." His comments come on the heels of a controversial report released by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC), which he characterized as "opaque."

In a Facebook post, Singh, who is also the Secretary-General of the Workers' Party, drew attention to the mounting public discourse, especially among younger citizens, expressing concerns over the fairness of the boundary-drawing process. He emphasized that the recent EBRC report lacked transparency, particularly in its methodology for redefining electoral divisions.

The report introduced five new Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and six new Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), including significant changes to the Aljunied GRC, a stronghold for the opposition where Singh represents the Eunos ward. This marks the first major alteration to these boundaries since the 2011 General Election.

Reflecting on the electoral dynamics, Singh remarked on the implications of "gerrymandering," citing that even Western democracies wrestle with similar issues, and queried whether the adjustments were aimed at constituencies with narrow previous election margins.

During a recent interview with CNA938, Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, explained that boundary changes correspond to population shifts and expansions. However, Singh pointed out that many political analysts found this reasoning surprisingly dismissive, labeling the new EBRC report as one of the most extreme boundary revisions in recent memory.

"Borders are crucial to fair elections and the justifications behind changes are vital," he stressed. Singh recalled insights from former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong regarding the electoral potential of individual divisions, referencing the 2016 Bukit Batok by-election. This raises questions about how specific demographics in newly assigned precincts, such as those transitioned from Marine Parade GRC to East Coast GRC, might have voted during the last General Election.

In urging for data transparency, Singh advocated for the public release of voting statistics to enable citizens to draw informed conclusions. Meanwhile, an accompanying electoral map showcased the 15 precincts in question.

Despite acknowledging the EBRC's critical role, Singh criticized its lack of transparency and the significant power its decisions wield over Singapore's political environment. He underscored the importance of fostering a social compact rooted in fairness and trust, sentiments echoed in the Forward Singapore report—an initiative introduced in late 2024 aimed at rejuvenating the nation's social fabric, emphasizing values of fairness, inclusivity, and stewardship.

Singh cautioned that lingering doubts about fairness in electoral processes could erode the very essence of a unified society, especially in light of global geopolitical shifts and demographic changes. His broader call championed values of transparency and trust as essential for national unity and resilience during turbulent times.

He concluded with an evocative urge for Singaporeans to come together as "one united people," emphasizing that real progress toward building a democratic society characterized by justice and equality is within reach. "Let’s press on to build a more balanced political system. It can be done," he declared, rallying citizens to embrace their role in shaping Singapore's future.