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1961 Legislative Assembly By-election (July): Difference between revisions
1961 Legislative Assembly By-election (July) (view source)
Revision as of 13:38, 7 February 2025
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SGPolitico (talk | contribs) (Created page with "The July 1961 Legislative Assembly by-election was triggered by the death of Baharuddin Mohammed Ariff, a People’s Action Party (PAP) Assembly Member. This by-election marked the Workers' Party's (WP) entry into the legislature and highlighted growing political fragmentation within the PAP. === Background === The death of Baharuddin Mohammed Ariff created a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly, necessitating the by-election. Former Chief Minister David Marshall, now...") |
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The July 1961 Legislative Assembly by-election was triggered by the death of Baharuddin Mohammed Ariff, a People’s Action Party (PAP) Assembly Member. | The July 1961 Legislative Assembly by-election was triggered by the death of Baharuddin Mohammed Ariff, a People’s Action Party (PAP) Assembly Member. | ||
This by-election marked the Workers' Party's (WP) entry into the legislature and highlighted growing political fragmentation within the PAP. | This by-election marked the Workers' Party's (WP) entry into the legislature and highlighted growing political fragmentation within the PAP. | ||
== Background == | |||
The death of Baharuddin Mohammed Ariff created a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly, necessitating the by-election. Former Chief Minister David Marshall, now leader of the Workers' Party (WP), contested the seat and won, marking WP’s debut in the legislature. | The death of Baharuddin Mohammed Ariff created a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly, necessitating the by-election. Former Chief Minister David Marshall, now leader of the Workers' Party (WP), contested the seat and won, marking WP’s debut in the legislature. | ||
Meanwhile, independent Assembly Member Ong Eng Guan, who had previously resigned from the PAP, consolidated his position by forming the United People’s Party (UPP) with his two former PAP colleagues. | Meanwhile, independent Assembly Member Ong Eng Guan, who had previously resigned from the PAP, consolidated his position by forming the United People’s Party (UPP) with his two former PAP colleagues. | ||
== Motion of Confidence == | |||
On 20 July 1961, just days after the by-election, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew tabled a motion of confidence in the PAP government. The motion narrowly passed by a single vote, with a count of 26 to 25. The critical vote came from Siglap Assembly Member Sahorat Ahmat, who was wheeled into the chamber from the hospital to cast his vote. | On 20 July 1961, just days after the by-election, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew tabled a motion of confidence in the PAP government. The motion narrowly passed by a single vote, with a count of 26 to 25. The critical vote came from Siglap Assembly Member Sahorat Ahmat, who was wheeled into the chamber from the hospital to cast his vote. | ||
In the aftermath, 13 PAP Assembly Members who voted against the motion were expelled from the party. These Assembly Members represented the constituencies of Bras Basah, Queenstown, Chua Chu Kang, Havelock, Jalan Kayu, Moulmein, Nee Soon, Pasir Panjang, Serangoon Gardens, Stamford, Thomson, Toa Payoh, and Upper Serangoon. Their expulsion marked a significant shift in the political landscape and demonstrated the internal challenges faced by the PAP. | In the aftermath, 13 PAP Assembly Members who voted against the motion were expelled from the party. These Assembly Members represented the constituencies of Bras Basah, Queenstown, Chua Chu Kang, Havelock, Jalan Kayu, Moulmein, Nee Soon, Pasir Panjang, Serangoon Gardens, Stamford, Thomson, Toa Payoh, and Upper Serangoon. Their expulsion marked a significant shift in the political landscape and demonstrated the internal challenges faced by the PAP. | ||
== Election Details == | |||
* '''Writ of Election Issued''': 23 May 1961 (Tuesday) | * '''Writ of Election Issued''': 23 May 1961 (Tuesday) | ||
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* '''Election Deposit''': $500 | * '''Election Deposit''': $500 | ||
== Results == | |||
David Marshall’s victory signified the Workers’ Party’s first foothold in the legislature, adding a new dimension to Singapore’s political scene. The high voter turnout of 97.5% reflected the electorate’s engagement and interest in the by-election. | David Marshall’s victory signified the Workers’ Party’s first foothold in the legislature, adding a new dimension to Singapore’s political scene. The high voter turnout of 97.5% reflected the electorate’s engagement and interest in the by-election. | ||
== Significance == | |||
The July 1961 by-election was a turning point in Singapore’s political history: | The July 1961 by-election was a turning point in Singapore’s political history: | ||