 Consequently , if a parliamentary seat falls vacant mid @-@ term , it does not have to be filled immediately as " [ t ] he vacancy does not affect the mandate of the Government , nor its ability to deliver on its programmes or promises . And this mandate continues until the next general election is called , when the incumbent team will render account to the electorate . " The Prime Minister said that the Singapore system of government was based on this model for two reasons : first , to " encourage voters to think very carefully when they are voting during general elections , because you are not only voting for your representative in the constituency , you are voting for the government in the country " ; and , secondly , " to maximise the chances of a stable , effective government in between general elections " . 
