Chan Chun Sing rejects Jamus Lim's proposal for enhanced transparency in electoral boundary review

Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing dismissed suggestions made by WP MP Associate Professor Jamus Lim, who proposed using scientifically sound methods and independent electoral commissions to ensure transparency and address potential issues of unfair representation in the electoral boundary review process.

On 7 August, NCMPs from the Progress Singapore Party filed a motion calling on the government to review the process by which electoral boundaries are determined.

During the debate, Minister Chan refuted the claims made by Ms Hazel Poa of the existing electoral boundary review system, saying that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) operates independently and objectively.

Mr Chan stressed that the EBRC is composed of senior civil servants with no party allegiance, insulating the process from party politics and preventing the type of partisan gerrymandering seen in other countries.

"The EBRC does not have access to voting information and hence does not make its recommendations based on voting patterns. The EBRC does not consult the PAP or any other political party."

Regarding the suggestion to enhance the independence of the EBRC, he rejected the idea of judicial oversight for the EBRC, arguing it could politicize the judiciary and emphasizing that political neutrality and integrity are upheld by public service officers.

Assoc Prof Lim acknowledged that while intentional gerrymandering might not be an issue, unintentional gerrymandering could arise from natural shifts in the electorate.

He advocated for using scientific tools to create benchmark maps and questioned why the Prime Minister's Office does not direct the EBRC to adopt these methods, which have been effectively used in other jurisdictions.

In response, Minister Chan expressed openness to exploring various models but cautioned that adjusting electoral divisions to reflect voting patterns could inadvertently lead to gerrymandering, and questioned whether fairness is defined by process or outcome.

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[joshuanamadoraisamy]

Has the PAP ever accepted any suggestion by the opposition?😂

[dontplayplay]

"dare to do but don't dare to admit" - definition of a Corward

[tandestro]

Bro Chan going around in circles. Aka when you can't convince people, you try to confuse them. Still have no idea how he can be a full minister. Worse still education minister!!

[azroyrinho]

What a joke from the minister this pap really r not up to standard

[lzm]

why is this CCS going into circles as if he don't know what he talking about??

[Hippygeek]

Very painful to see our tax money go to the salary of this kind of Minister. Please vote wisely!

[nicholasgoh]

CCS lost the PM seat due to his arrogance and till now still like that. My friends who are teachers said he is also like that as the education minister. He should be voted out in the next election.

[mohamedsidik]

CCS, please answer directly to the questions .Being education, you have to be direct. No need to compare other countries.

[looyeekhang]

It's challenging to listen to CCS speak, as it's unclear if he has a clear understanding of the topic he's discussing.

[ttkoh]

Singaporeans must Vote for Alternatives and assuage themselves "I cannot support Lies, Deception and Pretense, don't blame me" and then cast the vote boldly for Change for the better.

[yantaoxiao]

Next GE will change!

Power overrules the truth!

[orewabakachan]

CCS should be dismissed. He is useless fr

[otherworlder]

What you mean by politicise bro Chan? it is already political.

[winwinwin]

Look at the way ccs behave... you know he is lying

[WTHH]

Never been transparent. Its now opaque under "incompetent" people.

[rubenjames]

If CCS LOOSE HIS seat in Parliment. He better remove his social Media Presence. Boy is he going to be bombarded and destroyed by keyboard Warriors.

[franciscody]

Without openness and transparency in government there is no public accountability. VTO.

[sanmugamchandran]

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w mentioned in a hadith,
“Verily, in the body is a piece of flesh which, if sound, the entire body is sound, and if corrupt, the entire body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart.”

[AK]

Pap likes to act like they don't know what the opposition is talking about

[reborn]

Chan chun sing getting old already, not able to tell the difference between intentional vs unintentional.