3. Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC and Punggol West SMC

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC is nearing the upper limit for five-MP wards – 190,000 voters – with 180,319 electors currently.

“This area is likely to see some redrawing of boundaries given the demographic changes,” said Dr Teo.

There is a possibility of one or two SMCs being created in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, but the constituency will remain largely intact overall, said political observer and former PAP MP Inderjit Singh.

The constituency was redrawn in the last election, when the new Punggol West SMC and part of the new four-member Sengkang GRC were carved out from it.

Punggol West SMC currently has 26,769 voters, which Dr Teo noted “is well within the voter ratio limit”.

“So one possibility would be to see some redrawing of borders here for the SMC to be expanded,” she said of the ward, which is currently represented by Minister of State for Home Affairs and for Social and Family Development Sun Xueling.

Another would be the creation of a separate GRC in that area altogether, observers said.

One challenge whenever new GRCs are created, is the need for parties to find suitable team leaders, or anchor ministers in the case of the ruling party, said Dr Tan.

4. Yuhua SMC and Jurong GRC

Among the single seats, Yuhua SMC is the smallest with 20,362 voters, just above the lower limit of 20,000.

“With regards to Yuhua SMC, it might be absorbed into the Jurong GRC,” said Dr Tan.

The ward, which has been held by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu since 2011, is mostly bounded by Jurong GRC.

Currently, Yuhua SMC, Bukit Batok SMC and Jurong GRC are all managed under the Jurong-Clementi Town Council.

Dr Tan added that there might also be some changes seen in the constituency lines for Bukit Batok SMC.

“However, I don’t think that the EBRC might want to make huge and major changes when deliberating on redrawing the electoral lines, unless there is a real need to do so,” he said.

“The EBRC might also not want their decisions to end up affecting eligible voters across Singapore.”

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