Over 5,100 sign online petition calling for electoral reforms in Singapore

SINGAPORE: An online petition launched by Chee Soon Juan, Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), has gained more than 5,110 endorsements from members of the public as of 3 pm on 27 May 2025. The petition, which calls for wide-ranging electoral reforms, was unveiled during a press conference on 18 May. Chee described the initiative as non-partisan and aimed at addressing long-standing concerns about fairness and transparency in Singapore’s political system. “These are foundational principles of good governance and democratic integrity,” he said. Hosted on Change.org, the petition outlines six major proposals for reform.

Petition lists six proposals to enhance electoral transparency, media freedom, and boundary fairness

Chief among them is the removal of the Elections Department from the Prime Minister’s Office, intended to ensure impartial oversight of electoral processes. Another key proposal is the abolition of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system, which the SDP argues facilitates gerrymandering and disadvantages opposition candidates. The petition also calls for a minimum campaign period of three weeks to give voters ample time to evaluate party platforms and candidates’ policies. Additionally, it proposes a mandatory six-month buffer between the release of new electoral boundaries and the dissolution of Parliament. The petition further advocates for the revision of the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act to support independent media, and the creation of an impartial Electoral Boundaries Review Committee. As of 23 May, the petition had already garnered over 4,800 signatures, reflecting growing public interest in the issue following the recent General Election.

Concerns about election conduct

During the 18 May press conference, Chee sharply criticised the conduct of the 2025 General Election. He characterised the election as a “smash-and-grab” operation carried out with “unseemly haste” by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). He stated that the compressed campaign timeline left voters with inadequate time to absorb the issues at hand. This concern was especially pronounced among younger and first-time voters, who reportedly felt overwhelmed and disoriented. “The electorate hardly had time to grasp the weighty national concerns that affect our society,” he said. Chee emphasised that these problems point to systemic flaws within the electoral framework and that the petition was not a reactionary move but a principled push for deeper reform. He also spoke on the disruptive impact of sudden boundary changes ahead of the election. The dissolution of Bukit Batok SMC—a constituency where he had campaigned for nearly a decade—forced him to contest in the newly formed Sembawang West SMC. In the closely fought contest, Chee received 46.82% of the vote, narrowly losing to PAP’s Poh Li San. The result made it the third-closest race of the election. Chee argued that such abrupt constituency changes hinder both candidates and residents, eroding community bonds and voter engagement. He reiterated that an independent and transparent approach to boundary delineation is crucial to preserving public trust in the electoral system.