Question about Integrity of the GRC system of elections.

Question about Integrity of the GRC system of elections.
Although the 'ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT OF SINGAPORE'[link] states: 'Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs)': "The GRC system was established in 1988 to ensure that the minority racial communities in Singapore will always be represented in Parliament. .." (link last accessed 2Aug2010)

Simple calculations show the trend in efficiency of the GRC system in ensuring minority representation to be decreasing - currently 64.6%, whilst the propensity (due to individually bloated GRCs) in reducing the the proportion of SMC available to be increasing- currently 89.3%.

As a multiple of 'minority representation efficiency', the 'efficiency of reducing SMCs' is [(89.3 - 64.6) / 64.6] = 38.214% MORE effective in reducing SMCs then it is at ensuring minority representation.

The calculations for 'Ensured Min. Minority Rep (% of tot)'; ' Ensured Min. Minority Rep As a % of Pop. Minority Popln %. (%)'; 'GRC as % of All Seats Available', are listed as follows:

Ensured Minimum` ` ` ` ` | Previous, as a % of ` ` ` | GRC as % of All
Minority Rep.(% of tot)` ` | Popn. Minority %. (%) ` `| Seats Available.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1984: NA or = 00.0000% | 00.000 / 21.7 = 00.000% | 00 / 79 = 00.000%
1988: 13/81 = 16.0494% | 16.049 / 21.7 = 73.960% | 39 / 81 = 48.148%
1991: 15/81 = 18.5185% | 18.519 / 22.3 = 83.043% | 60 / 81 = 74.074%
1997: 15/83 = 18.0723% | 18.072 / 22.3 = 81.042% | 74 / 83 = 89.157%
2001: 14/84 = 16.6667% | 16.667 / 23.2 = 71.839% | 75 / 84 = 89.286%
2011: 14/84 = 16.6667% | 16.667 / 25.8 = 64.599% | 75 / 84 = 89.286%

Caveats:
1) It is understood that no requirement of minimum minority representation exists before 1988 (Full SMC system).
2) It understood that since inception in 1988 GE a minimum of one minority rep. per GRC is necessary to form a GRC team. [PARL ELECTIONS ACT Cap. 218]
3) It is assumed that the Wikipedia 'ethnic composition' chart is reasonably accurate and the corresponding figure used it the latest figure preceding that election year. (checked with june2009- 'singstat' for accuracy- [link])
4) 2006 is not shown for brevity of presentation but its figures exactly duplicate that of 2001 in this context.
5) The figures for 2010/11 GE are derived based upon GE 2006 and are subject review prior to the coming GE.
6) Note: 'SMC' = 'SMD' (Single Member Districts)- 'Table 1'


Conclusion:
The overwhelming and excessive ability of the GRC system of elections to reduce SMC seats in excess of its effectiveness in upholding its intended aim of ensuring minority representation calls for a return to the original objective for which the GRC system of elections was introduced and the downsizing of all GRCs to a max of 3 members each.

In fact, judging by the ability of just 14 GRCs in the last election (2006) to return 22 minority members: AMK(2), Bi-TP(2), EC(2), Holland-B.Timah(2), Jur(2), M.Parade(2), P.Ris(2), Semb(2), perhaps with the current 14 GRCs achieving in excess of ideal minimum guaranteed, 2006 having turned in a bumper of 22 minority MPs (26.19%- in excess of the population they represent); some being ministers or popular MPs, perhaps a spread of 14 x 3memb GRCs (42persons) and 42 SMCs would make GE 2011 a fairer one to all; without the need for any NCMPs, but for the case where the total number of minority MPs dips below 21 etc.

These calculations prove that current government, whilst never having fully expanded the GRC system's effectiveness at ensuring minority rep. (that peaked in 1991, then dwindled)- has been deviating since 1991 from its original objective of minority representation with its excessive capitalization of the side effect of the GRC system to diminish the number of SMCs available for contest (plateau at 89.3% since 2001).

References/ Source:
- 'ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT OF SINGAPORE' states: "The GRC system was established in 1988 to ensure that the minority racial communities in Singapore will always be represented in Parliament. .. ": 'Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs)': [link] (last accessed 2Aug2010)
- [Table1]: Yeo Lay Hwee. “Electoral Politics in Singapore”*Electoral Politics in Southeast And East Asia, eds. Aurel Croissant, Gabriele Bruns & Marei John (Singapore: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung - Office for Regional Cooperation, 2002). [link]
- [Constituencies of Singapore]: [wiki]
- [Chart: Ethnic composition (%) of resident population]: [wiki]
- [PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ACT Cap. 218]: [link]
- [CNA 26 April 2010]Parliament amends Constitution to change NCMP & NMP schemes: [link]
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