1959 Singaporean general election

1959 Singaporean general election was a pivotal national poll held on 30 May 1959 for all 51 seats in the Legislative Assembly. It was the first election held after Singapore attained full internal self-government from the United Kingdom under the State of Singapore Act 1958. The People's Action Party, led by Lee Kuan Yew, achieved a decisive landslide victory, winning 43 seats and forming the first fully elected government of Singapore.

Background

The political landscape was shaped by the preceding 1955 Singaporean general election and the subsequent constitutional negotiations. The Labour Front government, first under David Saul Marshall and then Lim Yew Hock, had secured the 1958 Singapore Constitution from the British Colonial Office. This established Singapore as a self-governing colony with control over all matters except defence and foreign affairs. The Internal Security Council, a body including representatives from the United Kingdom, Federation of Malaya, and Singapore, retained emergency powers. Key issues included rising unemployment, housing shortages, and the future merger with the Federation of Malaya. The People's Action Party, founded in 1954, had gained credibility through its work in the City Council and its advocacy for merger.

Campaign

The campaign was intensely fought among numerous parties, including the incumbent Singapore People's Alliance led by Lim Yew Hock, the People's Action Party led by Lee Kuan Yew, and the new United People's Party formed by former Mayor Ong Eng Guan. The People's Action Party campaigned on an anti-colonialism platform, promising clean government, economic development, and achieving merger with the Federation of Malaya. It utilized mass rallies and its newspaper, Petir. The Singapore People's Alliance highlighted its role in securing self-government and maintaining stability. Other contestants included the Liberal Socialist Party, the Labour Front, and the Singapore Malay Union. The People's Action Party's campaign was notably disciplined and focused on its iconic white shirts and trousers symbolizing purity.

Results

Voter turnout was a record 90.7%. The People's Action Party won a commanding majority, securing 43 of the 51 seats with 54.1% of the total vote. The Singapore People's Alliance won 4 seats, and the United People's Party also won 4 seats, all in the Hong Lim area. The remaining seats were won by three independents and one by the Singapore Malay Union's Ahmad bin Haji Taff. Notable victories included Lee Kuan Yew in Tanjong Pagar and Goh Keng Swee in Kreta Ayer. The Labour Front and the Liberal Socialist Party were completely wiped out, failing to win any seats.

Aftermath

On 3 June 1959, Lee Kuan Yew was sworn in as the first Prime Minister of Singapore at the City Hall. The new government immediately faced significant challenges, including a housing crisis addressed through the newly formed Housing and Development Board and economic planning under the Economic Development Board. The government also engaged in difficult negotiations, known as the Merger negotiations, with the Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman concerning Singapore's entry into the Federation of Malaysia. This period also saw internal party strife, leading to the 1961 split where left-wing members broke away to form the Barisan Sosialis.

Electoral system

The election used a first-past-the-post voting system within single-member constituencies. This was established under the 1958 Singapore Constitution. The Legislative Assembly was composed of 51 elected members, a significant increase from the 32 seats in the 1955 Singaporean general election. The Governor of Singapore was replaced by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara as the ceremonial head of state. The Elections Department Singapore oversaw the electoral process, which included an expanded electorate following automatic voter registration.

Category:1959 elections in Singapore Category:General elections in Singapore Category:1959 in Singapore