1957 Singaporean by-elections explained

Election Name:1957 Singaporean by-elections
Country:Singapore
Flag Year:1957
Flag Image:Flag of Singapore (1952–1959).svg
Type:legislative
Vote Type:popular
Election Date:29 June 1957
Previous Election:1952 Seletar by-election
Previous Year:1952
Next Election:1961 Singaporean by-elections
Next Year:1961
Seats For Election:2 seats to the Legislative Assembly of Singapore
Registered:29,563
Turnout:12,874 (43.55%) 11.16%
Leader1:Lee Kuan Yew
Party1:People's Action Party
Seats1:1
Popular Vote1:4,707
Percentage1:36.99%
Swing1: 4.18%
Leader2:Tan Chye Cheng
Party2:Liberal Socialist Party (Singapore)
Seats2:1
Seat Change2: 1
Popular Vote2:3,657
Percentage2:28.74%
Swing2: 7.52%
Leader3:Lim Yew Hock
Party3:Labour Front
Seats3:0
Seat Change3: 1
Popular Vote3:1,118
Percentage3:8.79%
Swing3: 13.78%
Image4 Size:150x150px
Party4:Malay Union
Seats4:0
Popular Vote4:983
Percentage4:7.73%
Swing4: 7.73%
Assemblymen
Posttitle:Elected Assemblymen

A by-election was held on 29 June 1957, with nomination day occurring on 18 May 1957 in both the constituencies of Cairnhill and Tanjong Pagar. Ultimately, Labour Front lost the Cairnhill seat to the new Liberal Socialist Party candidate Soh Ghee Soon, while Tanjong Pagar incumbent Lee Kuan Yew retained his seat.

The by-election had a voter turnout of merely 43.55%, the lowest of any elections during the period between 1948 and 1959. With the introduction of compulsory voting in 1959, the turnout of 43.55% remains the lowest for any elections in Singapore's history.

Background

When talks with the British authorities for self-governance fell, Chief Minister David Marshall resigned his Cairnhill seat and his Labour Front party membership on 7 June 1956; LF representative Keng Bang Ee was fielded as a candidate.

The seat of Tanjong Pagar was vacated when Lee Kuan Yew resigned his seat when Marshall publicly challenged Lee in a by-election, in which Lee accepted. Marshall withdrew his bid prior to nominations citing pressured by speculations of a street protest; Chong Wei Ling became the candidate in Marshall's place.

Ahead of the election, the Singapore Malay Union (SMU) was expelled by its alliance partners consisted of UMNO and MCA. Tengku Muda, a candidate for Cairnhill, was considered by the elections department of Singapore to view him as another independent candidate.

Results

Tanjong Pagar

References