Redditors say Jalan Kayu & Sembawang West SMCs will see the biggest change in next EBRC review

Redditors predict Jalan Kayu & Sembawang West SMCs will likely ‘disappear’ in next EBRC review

As Singapore settles following a heated General Election, armchair political analysts are already predicting major changes in the next Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report, and two constituencies keep popping up: Jalan Kayu and Sembawang West.

These Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), both of which saw tight races in the last election, are now hot favourites for redrawing or absorption — at least, according to Redditors.

Redditors predict boundaring changes for next election

The speculation began with a detailed post on r/askSingapore on 6 May, where one user listed predictions for how Singapore’s electoral map could evolve. The thread quickly gained traction, drawing over 80 comments and spirited debate.

Among the OP’s guesses were:

• Jalan Kayu SMC could be reabsorbed into Ang Mo Kio GRC
• Part of Hougang (currently under AMK GRC) might merge with Aljunied GRC
• Tampines Changkat SMC could be folded into Tampines GRC, which in turn might split off an area to bolster Pasir Ris–Changi GRC into a five-member GRC
• Mountbatten SMC might merge with Jalan Besar GRC, also forming a five-member GRC

The predictions opened the floodgates, with many users chiming in to add their two cents.

Narrow wins may trigger boundary changes

Several Redditors pointed out that Jalan Kayu and Sembawang West are the most vulnerable to change.

Jalan Kayu saw a razor-thin win by People’s Action Party (PAP)’s Ng Chee Meng, who edged out Workers’ Party’s Andre Low with just 51.47% of the vote. That narrow margin has led many to suspect it may not survive the next redraw.

Sembawang West was another closely watched battleground, where PAP’s Poh Li San beat Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) leader Dr Chee Soon Juan with just 53% of votes. Many Redditors believe it could be folded back into Sembawang GRC, while others suggest it would rejoin Woodlands GRC, where it was previously located.

Some predict new GRCs, others expect smaller swaps

One intriguing theory proposed Jalan Kayu might instead be absorbed into a new four-member GRC comprising parts of Hougang, Buangkok, and Serangoon North.

Another commenter floated the idea of merging Kebun Baru and Yio Chu Kang SMCs with the rest of Ang Mo Kio, forming yet another four-member GRC.

Still, some weren’t convinced that Jalan Kayu would vanish entirely.

“The population too big already,” one user argued. “More likely it looses [sic] a few blocks to AMK GRC or merge with Sengkang to make 5 seat GRC.”

“Saving this post go check against in 5 years,” the Redditor added.

Redditors predict new SMCs will emerge

Aside from speculative mergers, Redditors also threw out potential new SMCs that could surface during the next EBRC review. Popular guesses included:

• Jurong North & Jurong South
• Tampines North & Tampines South
• Chai Chee
• Loyang
• Teck Ghee

One commenter even joked about carving out a “Punggol-Johor Bahru GRC”, stretching the boundary across the Causeway.

Also read: ‘Nothing short of massive gerrymandering in plain sight’: Changes to electoral boundaries for upcoming GE slammed by opposition

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com. 

Featured image adapted from Elections Department Singapore – ELD on Facebook.