This paper examines the effects of formal and informal electoral quotas on the political representation of ethnic minorities and women in Singapore. Specifically, it compares the impact of quotas on candidate selection methods of ethnic minorities and women in four key political parties and assesses their descriptive and substantive representation at higher party executive bodies and national Parliament. Drawing from elite interviews, party surveys, electoral data and Hansard reports, it argues that ethnic quotas, coupled with gerrymandering and malapportionment have changed the spatial representation of ethnic voters and undermined their linkages with ethnic political leaders. In addition, it also finds that party gatekeepers and inclusive candidate selection methods have a significant impact in boosting the political representation of women at the party organization and national legislative levels. This paper offers new insights to show how internal party organization and informal rules matter and conclude with three propositions to improve the fairness and representativeness of the current racially discriminatory electoral formula in Singapore.
