You're never too early for politics

Although the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee ("EBRC") was formed 2 months ago, its formation was not disclosed until questions were posed by 2 MPs in Parliament on Monday, 13 July 2015. 

Once the EBRC report is published, parliament may be dissolved anytime soon. The EBRC is chaired by the Secretary to Prime Minister and will consider the population shifts and housing developments since the last boundary delineation exercise. 

The re-drawing of boundaries for every election has become part of the rules of political contest in Singapore. This has been the subject of much political debate. The main accusation is that it tilts the playing field in favour of the ruling party. Being a sports nation, perhaps a sports analogy will be useful. With the EBRC, we are seeing a sportsman who is competing with his team and unilaterally laying out the playing fields. He also decides on the timing of the competition and how many players for each field. 

Now that the EBRC has been formed, the task to redraw the electoral boundaries have begun. Based on past elections, the completion of this task may take up to four months and the re-drawing will have an impact on where and how potential candidates will contest in the elections. 

Once the report is published, parliament may be dissolved and a writ of election issued even within a day. All these uncertainties which favour the ruling party do stand in the way of healthy and constructive politics and it is hoped that there would be changes to improve the electoral system to make it a more level playing field that is imbued with both the spirit of sportsmanship and fair-play.

Politics has the power to close one's minds instead of opening them. For politics to continue to serve the purpose of the larger good and not become a tool of unsavoury politics, participation especially from those who are truly concerned about social justice and equality, is instrumental. Age is no barrier. You're never too early for politics. Only too late. 

Come join me in my journey to make Singapore a better place. Email to me at happylivingsg@gmail.com with your name, age and contact number, so that I can keep you posted on my upcoming walkabout at Whampoa SMC and if you are free, just join me and serve the residents together.