Suspect betrayal of the original purpose of the GRC system of elections.

Suspect betrayal of the original purpose of the GRC system of elections.
What the numbers show ([link]/ see below) in the line "(projected) 2010/11(GE): 14/84 = 16.667% | 16.667 / 25.8 = 64.599% | 09 / 84 = 10.714%" is that whilst the GRC system was dismal 64.6% effective (a decreasing trend since 1991 (83.0%)) at ensuring minority representation in parliament, it was (100.00 - 10.7)% = 89.3% effective (increasing trend since inception from 51.9%) at minimizing independents and opposition-candidates from contesting in SMCs.


The exceedingly high ability of GRCs to reduce SMCs (by currently 89.3%) compounded by the increasingly poorer ability of GRCs to uphold its original purpose- that of safeguarding minority representation (currently= 64.6%), arouses suspicion about the PAP's true intentions in implementing the GRC system of elections.

As the figures suggests, it seems the outcome of the GRC system (in its current form), to more so reduce SMCs; with ensuring minority representation being the excuse rather then norm. Thus making suspect if the original purpose of the GRC system of elections was really what it was proffered to be: "The GRC system was established in 1988 to ensure that the minority racial communities in Singapore will always be represented in Parliament."

References:
- [ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT OF SINGAPORE]: '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. To ensure this, the Parliamentary Elections Act requires that at least one-quarter of the total number of MPs must be representatives of GRCs." [link](- last accessed 2Aug2010)

Additional references:
[ST 1stAug2008]: 'By-election: Pragmatism or Principle?': ".. But there are two scenarios where the incumbent Government could lose political credibility by not calling a by-election, say legal scholars. One is if an MP from a minority race in a GRC dies or resigns - which has so far not happened. ..." [link]

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