Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?

Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?

The % guaranteed minority representation as facilitated by the GRC system of elections, the relative guaranteed minority representations are listed as follows.


Caveat:
1) It is assumed that no requirement of minimum minority representation exists before 1988 (Pre-GRC).
2) It understood that since inception in 1988 GE a minimum of one minority rep. per GRC is necessary to form a GRC team.
3) It is assumed that the Wikipedia 'ethnic composition' chart is accurate and the corresponding figure used is  latest figure preceding the election date.
4) 2006 is not shown for brevity but its figures exactly duplicate that of 2001 in this context.

GUARANTEED MINIMUM     | As a % of Actual Pop.    | SMC as % of
MINORITY REP           |      Minority (%)                   | All Seats Available.
1984: NA or   00.000%  |  0.000 / 21.7 = 00.000%  | 79 / 79 = 100.000%
1988: 13/81 = 16.049%  | 16.049 / 21.7 = 73.960%  | 42 / 81 =  51.851%
1991: 15/81 = 18.519%  | 18.519 / 22.3 = 83.043%  | 21 / 81 =  25.926%
1997: 15/83 = 18.072%  | 18.072 / 22.3 = 81.042%  | 09 / 83 =  10.843%
2001: 14/84 = 16.667%  | 16.667 / 23.2 = 71.839%  | 09 / 84 =  10.714%
2010: 14/84 = 16.667%  | 16.667 / 25.8 = 64.599%  | 09 / 84 =  10.714%

Conclusion:
The current GRC-system-of-election's failure to achieve its purported purpose of adequate minority representation, aggravated by its propensity to reduce the number of single member constituencies (SMC) (by 89.3%) questions the motives by which the GRC system was created and tweaked since inception (1988).

Note: SMC = SMD (Single Member Districts)


My suggestion:
If true minority representation is indeed the true concern, then 3 member GRCs would best serve this function (4,5,6 memb GRCs only serve to reduce SMCs as the figures describe).

Calc:
Current minority prop.(yr2009): 25.8%, No of Seats required guaranteed @25.8%= 21.672 seats.
Round down to 21 seats, 21 x 3 memb GRC= 63 seats. Therefore SMCs = 84 – 63 = 21 x SMC.

This new calculation proves that PAP, whilst never having properly expanded the GRC system to fully guarantee minority representations,  detoured from its proclaimed  purpose of minority representation toward one of reducing SMCs- to the extent of even compromising the original set ideals of having GRCs for minority representations.

A revert to the 3 memb GRC system of elections for the coming elections is a favorable direction to take for the elections of Singapore if the minority representation objective is to be truly and fully met (towards it total scrapping should racial differences cease to be of concern).

The NMP, NCMP scheme should only be used in some truly exceptional exigencies since the original objective of adequate minority representation via the GRC has not yet been met, more so hijacked with elections over the last 22 yrs (1988 till to date) having progressively fewer SMCs available to contest.

With figures showing the effect of GRCs in reducing SMCs to be greater then its effectiveness in achieving minority representation, the current government should come clean about the true intent and benefits of the increasingly bloated GRC constituencies – the state of having twice or almost twice the effective number of MPs per GRC, creates the sense that elections in SG have become like poker game with the ruling party essentially escalates the bet so that any opposition is disqualified, not for lack of effort, but by sheer gerrymandering and inflation.

This casino mentality creates nothing real about Minister Tharman's vision of "Activist states which intervene with spirit to promote social mobility, especially amongst the poor, …";  but a thuggish and selfish government which wishes to rule at all costs.

If this is indeed the chosen path of Singaporeans- that of unthinking enslavement, then Singapore is just going to become a another mafia state, albeit one where 'legalized corruption' reigns.

References:
- [TDY, 31July2010]: 'An activist Government focused on helping the poor: Tharman': “Activist states which intervene with spirit to promote social mobility, especially amongst the poor, that promote opportunity for their people, that free up competition and that are able to sustain optimism in the future.": http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100731-0000100/An-activist-Government-focused-on-helping-the-poor--Tharman

=========================================
Also viewable at:
A1forum:
1Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?
HWZ:
1Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?
VRzone:
1Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?
SGClub:
1Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?
1Aug2010:
1Aug2010:
1Aug2010:
1Aug2010: