Bots, editors
810
edits
National Referendum 1962: Difference between revisions
m
AWB add cat events
SGPolitico (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
m (AWB add cat events) |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
Polling took place on '''1 September 1962 (Saturday)''', with an electorate of '''619,867''' and a voter turnout of '''90.6%'''. | Polling took place on '''1 September 1962 (Saturday)''', with an electorate of '''619,867''' and a voter turnout of '''90.6%'''. | ||
== Background == | |||
The referendum arose from the People's Action Party (PAP) government’s efforts to merge Singapore with the Federation of Malaysia. The merger aimed to address economic and security concerns, particularly the threat of communist influence in Singapore. The referendum offered three options for the terms of merger but notably excluded the choice to reject the merger altogether, drawing criticism from opposition parties. | The referendum arose from the People's Action Party (PAP) government’s efforts to merge Singapore with the Federation of Malaysia. The merger aimed to address economic and security concerns, particularly the threat of communist influence in Singapore. The referendum offered three options for the terms of merger but notably excluded the choice to reject the merger altogether, drawing criticism from opposition parties. | ||
== Campaign Period == | |||
Campaigning for the referendum officially began on '''14 August 1962'''. The three options presented were: | Campaigning for the referendum officially began on '''14 August 1962'''. The three options presented were: | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
== Opposition and Criticism == | |||
The referendum faced criticism from opposition parties, including Barisan Sosialis, the Liberal Socialist Party (LSP), the Workers' Party (WP), the United Democratic Party (UDP), the Progressive Party (PR), and the United People's Party (UPP). The main points of contention were: | The referendum faced criticism from opposition parties, including Barisan Sosialis, the Liberal Socialist Party (LSP), the Workers' Party (WP), the United Democratic Party (UDP), the Progressive Party (PR), and the United People's Party (UPP). The main points of contention were: | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
In response, six opposition parties (excluding UPP) formed the '''Council of Joint Action (CJA)''' and appealed to the United Nations. They encouraged voters to cast blank votes as a form of protest. However, the LSP later withdrew from the CJA after Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman resolved the citizenship matter. | In response, six opposition parties (excluding UPP) formed the '''Council of Joint Action (CJA)''' and appealed to the United Nations. They encouraged voters to cast blank votes as a form of protest. However, the LSP later withdrew from the CJA after Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman resolved the citizenship matter. | ||
== Results == | |||
The referendum saw '''Option A''' receive overwhelming support, symbolizing a victory for the PAP. The results were as follows: | The referendum saw '''Option A''' receive overwhelming support, symbolizing a victory for the PAP. The results were as follows: | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
* '''Blank Votes:''' Integrated into legislative motions | * '''Blank Votes:''' Integrated into legislative motions | ||
=== Official Results === | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!'''Option''' | !'''Option''' | ||
| Line 54: | Line 54: | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Overall Breakdown === | |||
* '''Votes for Merger (A + B + C):''' 414,959 (73.9%) | * '''Votes for Merger (A + B + C):''' 414,959 (73.9%) | ||
| Line 61: | Line 61: | ||
* '''Unclear Votes:''' 2,523 (0.4%) | * '''Unclear Votes:''' 2,523 (0.4%) | ||
== Post-Referendum Developments == | |||
At the Legislative Assembly session following the referendum, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew countered allegations of an undemocratic process by introducing two motions: | At the Legislative Assembly session following the referendum, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew countered allegations of an undemocratic process by introducing two motions: | ||
| Line 69: | Line 69: | ||
#* Votes: Combined 31 PAP and SA members abstained, two UPP members voted against, and WP representative David Marshall departed before the vote. | #* Votes: Combined 31 PAP and SA members abstained, two UPP members voted against, and WP representative David Marshall departed before the vote. | ||
== Legacy == | |||
The National Referendum of 1962 remains a significant event in Singapore's political history, shaping its eventual merger with Malaysia in 1963. The referendum highlighted the deep political divisions of the time and the strategic maneuvering of various parties during a critical juncture in Singapore's nation-building process. | The National Referendum of 1962 remains a significant event in Singapore's political history, shaping its eventual merger with Malaysia in 1963. The referendum highlighted the deep political divisions of the time and the strategic maneuvering of various parties during a critical juncture in Singapore's nation-building process. | ||
[[Category:Events]] | |||