Elected presidency: Why five terms?
If Singapore does not see a president from a particular race for five consecutive terms - 30 years - the next presidential election should be reserved for candidates of that race.
That was what the Constitution Commission has recommended.
But why this gap?
LEAST INTRUSIVE
The Commission, in recommending the model, said it was the least intrusive way of ensuring minority representation.
The short gap also comes close to a pre-assigned cycle.
The provision also has a "natural sunset" as it may never be triggered if presidents from various racial groups are elected during open elections.
Said the Commission: "It enables the representation of all racial groups in the presidency in a meaningful way while being minimally prescriptive."
POINTLESS IF TOO LONG
If it is beyond five terms, it would fail in its goal of meaningfully encouraging minority representation, the Commission said.
For example, if it was eight terms, "half a century would have to go by before an election is reserved for an ethnic group which has, in the interim, not assumed the presidency".
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SAFEGUARD
While Dr Mustafa Izzuddin of the Iseas - Yusof Ishak Institute felt that the five-term gap does seem to be "far too long to be truly meaningful", he pointed out that having this system in place could be a form of safeguard.
He said: "...The gap may be seen as more of an insurance because we cannot rule out the possibility of a candidate from a minority ethnic group being elected as president during that period of 30 years."
ONLY FAIR
"No matter the number of years before a reserve election is triggered, there will be people who are unhappy," said Ms Tin Pei Ling, the MP for MacPherson.
"I would think that if by five terms, you still do not have a minority candidate in the presidential elections, then it's fair to consider a reserve election.
"Of course there's a caveat, that the eligibility criteria is the same across races so we don't undermine the principle of meritocracy."
NO MAGIC NUMBER
There is no magic number, said Dr Norshahril Saat of the Iseas - Yusof Ishak Institute.
"Some may think that a five-term gap is far too long. If I'm in my 30s, I can only see a minority president once in a lifetime."
Political analyst Bilveer Singh said: "Thirty years is almost a third of a century. You're talking about how many generations gone.
"But you can't please everyone. Having this system is better than nothing at all."
WILL IT AFFECT QUALITY?
A reserve election will ensure that the highest office in the land is seen to be accessible to people from all the major racial communities in Singapore.
Candidates, regardless of race, will be assessed with the same criteria, said the Commission.
Said political analyst Tan Ern Ser: "I don't see reserved election as tokenism if it is coupled with meritocracy and other qualities that we want to see in a president.
"If ethnicity is the only criterion, then it looks like tokenism."
TIMELINE
January
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first floats the idea of reviewing the elected president system in Parliament.
February
A Constitutional Commission led by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon appointed to review the system.
April & May
Public hearings, where 19 contributors gave their views on the proposed changes to the EP. Three broad areas were looked at: eligibility criteria, minority representation, and refining the Council of Presidential Advisers.
Last month
The commission submitted its report.
Yesterday
Report released.
Sept 15
Government will publish a White Paper on the exact proposed changes. Following that, it will introduce a Bill in Parliament to amend the Constitution to include the changes to the elected presidency.
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