1970 Singaporean by-elections explained

Election Name:1970 Singaporean by-elections
Country:Singapore
Flag Year:1970
Flag Image:Flag of Singapore.svg
Type:legislative
Previous Election:1967 Singaporean by-elections
Previous Year:1967
Next Election:1977 Singaporean by-elections
Next Year:1977
Seats For Election:5 seats to the Parliament of Singapore
Election Date:18 April 1970
Registered:25,310
Turnout:21,550 (85.14%)
Image1:Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore Making a Toast at a State Dinner Held in His Honor, 1975.jpg
Image1 Size:150x150px
Leader1:Lee Kuan Yew
Party1:People's Action Party
Seats1:5
Popular Vote1:14,545
Percentage1:69.93%
Party2:United National Front (Singapore)
Seats2:0
Popular Vote2:6,255
Percentage2:30.07%
MPs
Before Party:PAP
Posttitle:Elected MPs
After Party:PAP

The by-elections were held in April, for five seats in the Parliament of Singapore, after the resignation of Members of Parliament of the People's Action Party (PAP). The PAP won all five seats; with three of them in an uncontested walkover.

Background

At the time of the 1968 general election, mass resignations by the members of Barisan Sosialis in the parliament, who opted to protest and "struggle for democracy" on the streets, had effectively removed all opposition from the parliament. In 1970, however, it was five members from the governing People's Action Party who were invited to resign and give way to new blood as a part of renewing PAP's ranks.

The resulting vacancies were in the constituencies of Delta, Havelock, Kampong Kapor, Ulu Pandan and Whampoa. By-elections were arranged, with nomination day set as 8 April 1970 and polling day as 18 April 1970.

Similar to 1968 general election, no opposition parties stood except a newly formed United National Front formed from remnants of the defunct Singapore Alliance. This party stood candidates in two seats out of the five, namely Kampong Kapor and Ulu Pandan. Once again the PAP won the other three by walkovers.

Election deposit

The election deposit was set at $500. Similar to previous elections, the election deposit would be forfeited if the particular candidate had failed to secure at least 12.5% or one-eighth of the votes.

References