1970 Parliamentary By-election

The 1970 parliamentary by-elections were conducted to refresh the ranks of the People’s Action Party (PAP) by introducing new blood into its parliamentary team.

This election saw the voluntary resignations of five PAP Members of Parliament, including Singapore’s sole woman MP, Chan Choy Siong, marking the end of female representation in Parliament until 1984.

Background

PAP initiated these by-elections as part of its strategy to rejuvenate its parliamentary representation. Five MPs submitted their resignations a day before the writ of election was issued. This move paved the way for new candidates to represent the ruling party.

Chan Choy Siong’s resignation was particularly significant, as her departure left Parliament without female members for the next 14 years.

Opposition Participation

The Workers’ Party (WP), reeling from its poor performance in the 1968 General Election, chose not to participate in these by-elections. The only opposition presence came from the United National Front (UNF), a new alliance that consolidated remnants of the defunct Singapore Alliance (SA). Despite its efforts, UNF failed to gain traction against the dominant PAP.

Election Details

• Writ of Election Issued: 1 April 1970 (Wednesday)
• Nomination Day: 8 April 1970 (Wednesday)
• Polling Day: 18 April 1970 (Saturday)
• Swearing-In Ceremonies: 8 May 1970 (Friday) and 21 May 1970 (Thursday)
• Electorate: 69,125
• Walkover Voters: 43,815 (63.4%)
• Eligible Voters: 25,310 (36.6%)
• Voter Turnout: 21,550 (85.1%)
• Election Deposit: $500

Results

PAP won all contested seats, reaffirming its political dominance. A significant portion of the electorate experienced walkovers, as opposition competition was limited.

Significance

1. Renewal of Leadership: The by-elections reflected PAP’s commitment to introducing fresh leadership into its parliamentary team, ensuring continuity and dynamism within its ranks.
2. Absence of Female Representation: Chan Choy Siong’s resignation highlighted the challenges of sustaining gender diversity in Singapore’s political landscape, as Parliament would remain without female MPs until 1984.
3. Opposition Weakness: The limited participation of opposition parties, particularly the absence of WP, underscored the fragmented and weakened state of opposition politics during this period.

Legacy

The 1970 by-elections reinforced PAP’s unchallenged dominance in Singapore’s political arena. The introduction of new MPs through this process exemplified the party’s approach to leadership renewal, which would become a hallmark of its governance strategy.

However, the lack of female representation highlighted an area for future improvement in achieving gender balance in Singapore’s parliamentary system.