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%
Image2 Size:150x150px
Leader2:Tan Chye Cheng
Party2:Liberal Socialist Party (Singapore)
Seats2:1
Seat Change2: 1
Popular Vote2:3,657
Percentage2:28.74%
Swing2: 7.52%
Image3 Size:150x150px
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 the Cairnhill, and Tanjong Pagar constituency. When talks with the British authorities for self-governance broke down, Chief Minister David Marshall decided to resign from the Labour Front on 7 June 1956. Marshall had also challenged opposition leader Lee Kuan Yew from the People's Action Party to resign and recontest his Tanjong Pagar constituency as well, which he did.

The Labour Front's replacement candidate Keng Bang Ee lost the seat to the new Liberal Socialist Party, while Lee retained his seat in Tanjong Pagar.

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.

Election Deposit

The election deposit was stated at $500.

Results

Cairnhill

Note 1: As Mirza Abdul Majid had failed to secure 12.5% of the votes, he had his election deposit forfeited.

Note 2: In 1957, Singapore Malay Union (SMU) was expelled by its alliance partners consisted of UMNO and MCA for fielding a candidate in this by-election which was the reason for the elections department of Singapore to view Tengku Muda as another independent candidate.

Tanjong Pagar

References