On 28 February 2011, the CEC voted to relieve Chiam of his role as chairman, however, the CEC stressed that they still hoped to field Chiam as a candidate at the next general election. Chiam had earlier announced his intention to stand in a Group Representation Constituency while leaving the Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency to a successor at the next general election. Two days later, Chiam announced that the party would be withdrawing from the SDA, and that he would stand under the banner of the SPP instead of the SDA at the next general election. Due to the withdrawal, Chiam's chairman role was succeeded to Desmond Lim, the leader of SJP.