The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has said it will be contesting the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the upcoming general election.
In a statement to the media on Friday, in response to the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report, the DPP said it was “surprised by the conservatism of the electoral boundaries report.”
“The proposed changes are not as dramatic and extensive as we had expected,” it said.
It said that the absorption of Joo Chiat SMC and Whampoa SMC “appear to be due to them being hotly contested in 2011.”
However, the party noted that Potong Pasir that PAP won by a sliver remains untouched.
The DPP said it welcome the increase in the number of smaller 4-member GRCs.
The party said it “remain committed to standing at Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.”
“The inclusion of parts of Moulmein-Kallang to Bishan Toa Payoh GRC will expand an already-large GRC. Given how close the margin was at Bishan Toa Payoh GRC in 2011, it is anyone’s guess if the voters from Moulmein-Kallang transfered over to Bishan Toa Payoh are PAP supporters or not, and whether this will tilt the margin-of-votes for the coming GE. But we will work hard to get to know them and win their votes,” the DPP said.
It noted that the Minister of Transport’s constituency has been absorbed into a GRC.
“We call on him, [the] Minister of National Development and [the] Minister of Health, to stand in an SMC and test the level of voter support for them at the coming elections,” the DPP statement said.
It said it is “surprised at how quickly the Committee has issued their report, given that they were formed only 2 months ago without any announcement.”
“We suspect this will lead to the PAP calling for a snap election, within a month after National Day,” the statement signed by secretary general, Benjamin Pwee, said.
Mr Pwee had stood as candidate in Bishan-Toa Payoh in the 2011 elections under the Singapore People’s Party banner.
“If GE is held right after National Day, it says a lot about the PAP’s confidence in their own credibility if they choose to ride on the feel-good factor of National Day and SG50, instead of the quality and success of their various national policies,” the DPP statement said.
“We trust that voters are mature and discerning enough, to vote for candidates and parties who are credible, and not on emotional feelings.”
