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On 7 May, Ho Ching has defended Singapore’s election system amid claims of gerrymandering, saying boundary changes reflect population shifts, not political bias. Her remarks, made on Facebook, sparked debate as critics called for greater transparency and longer campaign periods.
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/20...ection-system-amid-gerrymandering-criticisms/
On 7 May 2025, Ho Ching, spouse of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and former CEO of Temasek Holdings, sparked controversy with a Facebook post defending Singapore’s electoral system.
Her remarks came in response to public concerns about electoral boundary changes, as Singapore underwent its General Election 2025 (GE2025) on 3 May.
Ho dismissed allegations of gerrymandering, asserting that changes to electoral boundaries reflect population shifts rather than political manipulation.
She stated that the Election Department (ELD), under government direction, had not altered opposition-held wards. According to her, this ultimately benefits opposition parties, countering claims of manipulation.
“This is a huge advantage to the opposition parties,” she wrote, arguing that adjustments help keep ward sizes manageable for Members of Parliament (MPs).
Ho explained that these changes address demographic shifts, such as those arising from new housing developments.
Comparing systems abroad, Ho pointed out that some foreign constituencies have over one million voters, making MPs less accessible to the public.
She cited Potong Pasir, a long-standing opposition ward held by Chiam See Tong, as an example of stable boundaries maintained for decades.
However, Ho did not mention that Aljunied GRC saw its boundaries redrawn for the first time since 2011, following the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report released on 11 March, which shifted three polling districts — comprising 3,834 voters — to Tampines GRC, leaving Aljunied with 144,032 electors.
Ho stressed that Singapore remains a democratic multi-party system, where voter choice determines Parliament’s composition.
She referenced the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme, which allocates up to 12 seats to the highest-performing opposition candidates.
In the previous Parliament, the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) secured two NCMP positions.
Ho also praised Workers’ Party leader Sylvia Lim as a constructive NCMP, contrasting her approach with others she described as engaging in “potshot antics.”
She attributed electoral shifts to natural demographic changes and voter sentiment rather than boundary manipulation.
Ho urged respect for voter decisions, saying, “Please give credit to the voters, lah!”
Ho added examples contrasting “potshot” NCMPs with constructive ones, highlighting Sylvia Lim as a positive example. She also expanded on the topic of gerrymandering, addressing claims about Sengkang, pointing out vote fluctuations even without boundary changes, and calling for respect for voters’ choices.
Ho’s edits soften the criticism of opposition MPs and provide a broader explanation of electoral dynamics and voter agency.
She argued that it ensures minority representation at about 25%, reflecting Singapore’s population makeup, and strengthens multiracial political parties.
She explained that GRCs were introduced in the 1980s following consultations to preserve multiracialism, while Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) offer opportunities for small parties and independents.
Ho acknowledged that minority candidates can succeed in SMCs but cautioned that tribalism can easily be stirred, making GRCs an important safeguard.
She also revisited the NCMP scheme and floated a past idea by Lee Kuan Yew to give mothers of young children an extra vote, aimed at balancing resources between the young and elderly amid falling birth rates.
“I think this is an excellent idea for us to consider as we mature as a society,” Ho shared, suggesting that such a measure might have delayed the decline of Singapore’s total fertility rate.
One commenter highlighted the opaque nature of the boundary review process, which is handled by a committee reporting to the Prime Minister’s Office, raising concerns over conflict of interest.
“Transparency or sunlight is the best disinfectant,” the commenter wrote, calling for opposition parties to be included in the review process, as they are in vote counting.
In response, Ho reiterated her point about Sengkang’s opposition win. However, critics stressed that transparency, not just outcomes, was key to building trust.
While recognising the need for boundary changes, the commenter criticised the nine-day campaign period as too short and proposed extending it to four weeks to reflect the electorate’s maturity.
Further criticisms targeted the naming and grouping of constituencies, with some pointing to the combination of distinct areas like Jurong East and Bukit Batok into one GRC.
They proposed clearer geographic definitions and pegging seats to population size to reduce gerrymandering claims and aid campaign planning.
Others questioned the necessity of four- to six-member GRCs, suggesting that two-member GRCs with one minority candidate could achieve similar representation while increasing voter clarity.
Some commenters proposed using Singpass data and postal codes to allocate MPs based on real-time population figures.
Such a system, they argued, would simplify the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee’s work and strengthen public confidence in electoral fairness.
This marks a notable decline from the 95.81 per cent turnout in the 2020 election, and the lowest in a fully contested general election in recent decades.
Observers have attributed this drop to growing voter disengagement and concerns over fairness in the electoral process.
There were 2,627,026 registered electors in 2025, and 2,429,281 votes were cast. Approximately 197,745 voters abstained, resulting in a national absenteeism rate of 7.53 per cent.
The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), under new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, won 87 out of 97 seats, increasing its vote share to 65.57 per cent.
The Workers’ Party (WP) retained its 10 seats but made no additional gains, despite strong showings in several competitive constituencies.
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/20...ection-system-amid-gerrymandering-criticisms/
On 7 May 2025, Ho Ching, spouse of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and former CEO of Temasek Holdings, sparked controversy with a Facebook post defending Singapore’s electoral system.
Her remarks came in response to public concerns about electoral boundary changes, as Singapore underwent its General Election 2025 (GE2025) on 3 May.
Ho dismissed allegations of gerrymandering, asserting that changes to electoral boundaries reflect population shifts rather than political manipulation.
She stated that the Election Department (ELD), under government direction, had not altered opposition-held wards. According to her, this ultimately benefits opposition parties, countering claims of manipulation.
“This is a huge advantage to the opposition parties,” she wrote, arguing that adjustments help keep ward sizes manageable for Members of Parliament (MPs).
Ho explained that these changes address demographic shifts, such as those arising from new housing developments.
Ho defends boundary changes as practical, but omits recent Aljunied GRC redraw
She noted that Singapore typically aims for about 30,000 voters per ward, with a margin of ±30%, to help MPs effectively serve residents.Comparing systems abroad, Ho pointed out that some foreign constituencies have over one million voters, making MPs less accessible to the public.
She cited Potong Pasir, a long-standing opposition ward held by Chiam See Tong, as an example of stable boundaries maintained for decades.
However, Ho did not mention that Aljunied GRC saw its boundaries redrawn for the first time since 2011, following the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report released on 11 March, which shifted three polling districts — comprising 3,834 voters — to Tampines GRC, leaving Aljunied with 144,032 electors.
Ho stressed that Singapore remains a democratic multi-party system, where voter choice determines Parliament’s composition.
She referenced the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme, which allocates up to 12 seats to the highest-performing opposition candidates.
In the previous Parliament, the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) secured two NCMP positions.
Ho also praised Workers’ Party leader Sylvia Lim as a constructive NCMP, contrasting her approach with others she described as engaging in “potshot antics.”
She attributed electoral shifts to natural demographic changes and voter sentiment rather than boundary manipulation.
Ho urged respect for voter decisions, saying, “Please give credit to the voters, lah!”
Ho Ching’s Facebook post edited three times
However, a check on the edit history of Ho’s post shows that since it was published at 10:10 am on 7 May, she has edited it three times.Ho added examples contrasting “potshot” NCMPs with constructive ones, highlighting Sylvia Lim as a positive example. She also expanded on the topic of gerrymandering, addressing claims about Sengkang, pointing out vote fluctuations even without boundary changes, and calling for respect for voters’ choices.
Ho’s edits soften the criticism of opposition MPs and provide a broader explanation of electoral dynamics and voter agency.
Defending the GRC system for minority representation
On 8 May, Ho published another Facebook post defending the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system.She argued that it ensures minority representation at about 25%, reflecting Singapore’s population makeup, and strengthens multiracial political parties.
She explained that GRCs were introduced in the 1980s following consultations to preserve multiracialism, while Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) offer opportunities for small parties and independents.
Ho acknowledged that minority candidates can succeed in SMCs but cautioned that tribalism can easily be stirred, making GRCs an important safeguard.
She also revisited the NCMP scheme and floated a past idea by Lee Kuan Yew to give mothers of young children an extra vote, aimed at balancing resources between the young and elderly amid falling birth rates.
“I think this is an excellent idea for us to consider as we mature as a society,” Ho shared, suggesting that such a measure might have delayed the decline of Singapore’s total fertility rate.
Public scepticism and calls for transparency
Despite Ho’s defence, many public comments on her posts expressed scepticism.One commenter highlighted the opaque nature of the boundary review process, which is handled by a committee reporting to the Prime Minister’s Office, raising concerns over conflict of interest.
“Transparency or sunlight is the best disinfectant,” the commenter wrote, calling for opposition parties to be included in the review process, as they are in vote counting.
In response, Ho reiterated her point about Sengkang’s opposition win. However, critics stressed that transparency, not just outcomes, was key to building trust.
Concerns over campaign duration
Another netizen, who had recently returned to Singapore after 30 years abroad, expressed frustration after finding their residence redrawn from Hougang to Ang Mo Kio GRC.While recognising the need for boundary changes, the commenter criticised the nine-day campaign period as too short and proposed extending it to four weeks to reflect the electorate’s maturity.
Further criticisms targeted the naming and grouping of constituencies, with some pointing to the combination of distinct areas like Jurong East and Bukit Batok into one GRC.
They proposed clearer geographic definitions and pegging seats to population size to reduce gerrymandering claims and aid campaign planning.
Others questioned the necessity of four- to six-member GRCs, suggesting that two-member GRCs with one minority candidate could achieve similar representation while increasing voter clarity.
Some commenters proposed using Singpass data and postal codes to allocate MPs based on real-time population figures.
Such a system, they argued, would simplify the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee’s work and strengthen public confidence in electoral fairness.
GE2025 results and voter turnout prompt reflection
Singapore’s 2025 General Election, held on 3 May, recorded a voter turnout of 92.47 per cent—the lowest since the 1968 election, which saw a turnout of 91.83 per cent amid a boycott by Barisan Sosialis.This marks a notable decline from the 95.81 per cent turnout in the 2020 election, and the lowest in a fully contested general election in recent decades.
Observers have attributed this drop to growing voter disengagement and concerns over fairness in the electoral process.
There were 2,627,026 registered electors in 2025, and 2,429,281 votes were cast. Approximately 197,745 voters abstained, resulting in a national absenteeism rate of 7.53 per cent.
The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), under new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, won 87 out of 97 seats, increasing its vote share to 65.57 per cent.
The Workers’ Party (WP) retained its 10 seats but made no additional gains, despite strong showings in several competitive constituencies.
