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Replace GRC system with ethnic-balancing alternative: NGO
MARUAH proposes alternative Ethnic Balancing Contingency System which will only kick in should voters not elect in enough minority candidates
BYAMIR HUSSAIN
4 HOURS 35 MIN AGO
SINGAPORE — The Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system should be replaced by a system that provides an ethnic fair representation failsafe without the disadvantages of GRCs, Singapore-based human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) MARUAH has said.
In a position paper released this morning (Aug 19), MARUAH proposed that an alternative Ethnic Balancing Contingency System (EBCS) be implemented.
“The basic premise of the EBCS is that the electorate system should not presume a tendency among the electorate to vote along ethnic lines, which risks creating a self-fulfilling prophecy and undermines the standing of ethnic minority MPs regardless of the actual voting behaviour of the electorate,” MARUAH’s position paper said.
“The EBCS only kicks in if voters elect an insufficient number of ethnic minority candidates.”
Under MARUAH’s proposed alternative system, contesting parties would be required to ensure a fair ethnic minority representation within their total slate of candidates.
After electoral results are known, the proportion of minority candidates would be calculated. If the ethnic minority representation falls below MARUAH’s suggestion of 2 percentage points below the ethnic minority proportion of the total population, the EBCS would be triggered.
Then, ethnic minority candidates who were the best losers would be added as MPs with full voting rights, without being representatives of specific constituencies, to “participate fully in the life of Parliament”.
MARUAH said its proposed system would serve the same function as the GRC system but without its drawbacks, which “have tended to undermine the legitimacy of Singapore’s electoral system, particularly after GE 2011”.
MARUAH proposes alternative Ethnic Balancing Contingency System which will only kick in should voters not elect in enough minority candidates
BYAMIR HUSSAIN
4 HOURS 35 MIN AGO
SINGAPORE — The Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system should be replaced by a system that provides an ethnic fair representation failsafe without the disadvantages of GRCs, Singapore-based human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) MARUAH has said.
In a position paper released this morning (Aug 19), MARUAH proposed that an alternative Ethnic Balancing Contingency System (EBCS) be implemented.
“The basic premise of the EBCS is that the electorate system should not presume a tendency among the electorate to vote along ethnic lines, which risks creating a self-fulfilling prophecy and undermines the standing of ethnic minority MPs regardless of the actual voting behaviour of the electorate,” MARUAH’s position paper said.
“The EBCS only kicks in if voters elect an insufficient number of ethnic minority candidates.”
Under MARUAH’s proposed alternative system, contesting parties would be required to ensure a fair ethnic minority representation within their total slate of candidates.
After electoral results are known, the proportion of minority candidates would be calculated. If the ethnic minority representation falls below MARUAH’s suggestion of 2 percentage points below the ethnic minority proportion of the total population, the EBCS would be triggered.
Then, ethnic minority candidates who were the best losers would be added as MPs with full voting rights, without being representatives of specific constituencies, to “participate fully in the life of Parliament”.
MARUAH said its proposed system would serve the same function as the GRC system but without its drawbacks, which “have tended to undermine the legitimacy of Singapore’s electoral system, particularly after GE 2011”.
They aren't in any position to make policy as they hold only a few seats.
