Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Parliament yesterday there should not be too many six-member GRCs, as this makes it harder for voters to identify with the whole slate of MPs.

Currently, the average number of MPs in a group representation constituency is 5.4, as there are five six-member GRCs and nine five-member GRCs.

There will therefore be fewer six-member GRCs by the next election, he promised.

There will also be at least 12 single-member constituencies, or SMCs, up from the current nine.

Mr Lee said he would make these requirements part of the terms of reference for the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee, which determines the shape and size of electoral constituencies prior to every election.

He hastened to add that he has not appointed the committee yet.

Former Non-Constituency MP Steve Chia of the National Solidarity Party told The Straits Times the move was 'a first step in the right direction'.

'From 1988 till now, it's been bad news for the opposition, but finally there's some loosening up,' he said, referring to how GRCs had expanded in size since they first came about 20 years ago.

'We hope the GRCs will be much smaller, and there will be more SMCs.'

In his speech, PM Lee defended the present system of having most MPs elected in GRCs. This was a sound system that ensured multiracial representation, the reason GRCs were first formed in 1988, he said.

'They encourage political parties to appeal to all races with moderate policies and not to one race or another with chauvinist or extremist policies,' said Mr Lee.

'They also put a premium on parties which can field credible teams and therefore demonstrate that they are fit not just to become MPs but also to form the government,' he added.

Mr Lee, however, said single seats should also remain, so that small parties and independent candidates can still contest in general elections.

He noted that there were both advantages and drawbacks to having bigger GRCs.

On the one hand, they allow stronger multiracial teams to be formed which include MPs with different backgrounds and skills 'to serve voters more comprehensively and effectively'. Resources can also be pooled to run town councils better.

They also require a challenger to field a strong team that offers a serious alternative, and so 'encourage responsible and credible opposition parties to emerge'.

On the other hand, having too big a GRC makes it harder for voters to identify with the whole team of MPs.

'In the light of our experience, we have concluded that on balance, smaller GRCs, that means less than six members, have the edge over larger GRCs,' he said.

However, he did not think six-member GRCs should be ruled out entirely, as 'sometimes the configuration of constituencies on the ground makes this the most practical option'.

'The changes to smaller GRCs and more SMCs may or may not result in more seats being contested or more opposition MPs being elected,' he stressed.

'That is not their purpose. Ultimately, it's up to the opposition MPs to field candidates to contest the elections and up to the voters to decide who they want to represent them in Parliament.'

When Mr Lee concluded his speech, Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang) promptly rose to ask the PM if he would ask the boundaries review committee to keep existing constituency boundaries as far as possible, and not gerrymander.

He also asked Mr Lee to consider appointing the committee earlier before an election so that the opposition will have more time to look at the changes.

Mr Lee said how boundaries were drawn was up to the committee members. 'I think it's best to leave them to decide in accordance with the situation on the ground. They do not disturb boundaries unnecessarily, but when the population has changed, boundaries have to recognise these electorate changes,' he said.

As for appointing the committee earlier, he said he would appoint it in good time.

'It is not our intention to do it at the last minute and spring surprises on either our own members or on opposition members,' he said.

'I will not tell you how many months' notice I give you, otherwise when I appoint the committee and its results are published, you will calculate forward and determine the election date.'

-end of ST article