Nominated Member of Parliament

A Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) is a non-partisan member of the Parliament of Singapore who is appointed by the president to contribute independent and diverse perspectives to parliamentary debates. They are de jure not affiliated to any political party and do not represent any constituency. The scheme was introduced in 1990 as part of constitutional amendments aimed at broadening the representation in Parliament beyond that provided by elected Members of Parliament (MP) and Non-constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP). NMPs are appointed by on the recommendation of a Special Select Committee of Parliament, which evaluates candidates nominated by the public and various functional groups.

While NMPs possess similar parliamentary rights as elected MPs, they are restricted from voting on certain key matters, including constitutional amendments, supply bills, money bills and motions of no confidence in the government. The NMP scheme, in the government's view, is intended to provide a platform for voices from sectors such as the arts, academia, civil society and business, thereby enriching parliamentary discourse with expertise and viewpoints that may not otherwise be represented. NMPs serve a fixed term of two and a half years, shorter than the maximum five-year term of MPs and NCMPs. In addition, the position is considered part-time in nature, and as such, NMPs receive a substantially lower allowance compared to MPs, as they are expected to retain their primary professional occupations. Since 1997, the maximum number of NMPs in Parliament was nine.

Since its inception, the NMP scheme has undergone periodic reviews and adjustments, including changes to the number of NMPs allowed and the nomination process. The scheme has attracted both support and criticism. Proponents argue that NMPs strengthen deliberative democracy by contributing specialist knowledge and independent thought, while detractors question the accountability of unelected legislators within a parliamentary system, viewing it as elitist and undemocratic. The NMP system is a distinctive feature of Singapore's political framework not seen in traditional Westminster system styles of government. Although it bears small similarities to the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, where members are selected rather than elected, NMPs do not form a separate chamber. Instead, they sit together with elected MPs and NCMPs.