1961 Legislative Assembly By-election (July)

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 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.

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.

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)
Nomination Day: 10 June 1961 (Saturday)
Polling Day: 15 July 1961 (Saturday)
Swearing-In Ceremony: 20 July 1961 (Thursday)
Eligible Voters: 9,816
Voter Turnout: 9,566 (97.5%)
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.

Significance

The July 1961 by-election was a turning point in Singapore’s political history:

Workers’ Party’s Entry: The by-election marked WP’s entry into the Legislative Assembly, laying the foundation for its role as an opposition party.
PAP Challenges: The close vote on the motion of confidence and subsequent expulsion of 13 PAP Assembly Members highlighted internal divisions within the ruling party.
Ong Eng Guan’s UPP: The formation of the UPP signaled further fragmentation of the political landscape.

This by-election underscored the volatility of Singapore’s early political scene and the significant shifts in power dynamics as the island navigated its path toward independence.