The new Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report has been announced by the Elections Department Singapore (ELD), increasing the likelihood for the General Election to be held in possibly less than two months' time.

On Sep. 4 last year, it was announced that the EBRC had been formed for the next election.

On Jan 6., Workers' Party Secretary-General (Sec-Gen) Pritam Singh posed the question to the Prime Minister's Office on when the EBRC report is out.

Minister Chan Chun Sing, on behalf of the Prime Minister, said in a written reply that "when the EBRC has completed its work, the report will be presented to this House and released to the public".

What does this mean, and when will the election take place?

In 2015, it only took one month for Parliament to be dissolved and the writ of election to be issued.

In 2011, the Writ was issued 54 days after the EBRC report was released.

In 2006, Parliament was dissolved 48 days after the report was released.

The shortest time was in 2001, when Parliament was dissolved a day after.

As soon as the Writ is issued, Nomination Day will take place no earlier than five days and no later than one month later.

Usually, however, Nomination Day happens within a week of the Writ being issued.

Nomination Day

This is the period when political parties begin campaigning.

The campaign period usually lasts for nine or 10 days because the law states the polling day has to take place no earlier than 10 days but no later than 56 days after the Writ of Election is issued.

Polling Day

Polling Day is a public holiday and is usually on a Saturday.

Top photo via gov.sg