1952 Legislative Council By-election
The 1952 Legislative Council by-election in Singapore was a notable event in the colony’s political history, marked by an unopposed victory and unique circumstances surrounding the resignation of Mrs. V. Menon, the only elected woman in the Legislative Council.
Background
Mrs. V. Menon voluntarily resigned her Legislative Council seat on 25 September 1952 after facing criminal breach of trust charges in India’s courts, along with her lawyer husband. Both were later acquitted in February 1953, but Mrs. Menon chose not to return to politics following the ordeal.
Key Events
- Unopposed Victory: The by-election became the first and only instance to date of an unopposed victory involving a non-People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate. M. P. D. Nair, an independent City Councillor and former leader of the Labour Party (LP), emerged as the sole candidate to file his nomination. He had been expelled from the LP earlier in March 1952.
- No Election Symbol Assigned: Due to the walkover, no election symbol was assigned to Nair, and the planned polling day on 20 December 1952 was rendered unnecessary.
Nair’s Stance
Initially, Nair refused to be sworn into office unless the demands of the Naval Base Union members in his constituency were met. However, he eventually agreed to take the oath of office on 16 December 1952.
Election Details
- Writ of Election Issued: 28 October 1952 (Tuesday)
- Nomination Day: 19 November 1952 (Wednesday)
- Swearing-In Ceremony: 16 December 1952 (Tuesday)
- Registered Voters: 6,509
- Election Deposit: $500
Significance
The 1952 by-election stands out in Singapore’s electoral history for several reasons:
- It was the first instance of an unopposed victory in a Legislative Council election.
- It highlighted the challenges faced by independent candidates and small parties during this period.
- It underscored the political tensions of the time, with Nair’s initial refusal to take office demonstrating the influence of labor unions and worker demands on political dynamics.
The absence of a contested election and the unique circumstances of Mrs. Menon’s resignation and acquittal further contributed to the historical significance of this event.