At the end of the second World War, the British reinstated the Le-Co it had established in 1867 and opened a limited number seats for elected legislators, with appointed officials remaining in control. This exposed Singapore to national elections for the first time but only some citizens had voting privileges. PP was the dominant political party at that time. A candidate's election deposit will be forfeited if he or she garners less than one-eighth or 12.5% of the votes cast in the ward contested.

The Rendel Constitution was introduced in 1953 to allow Singapore more self-governance, which opened up more local-elected seats with reduced British representatives and voting rights for more local citizens. Between 1955 to 1959, legislators led by the LF government continued the push for more independence. In 1959, Singapore was granted full self-government by the British authorities with all seats for election and compulsory voting - but LF was voted out of power and a PAP government took over.

From 16 September 1963, Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia as a state, along with Sabah and Sarawak, with the blessings of the British. Two short but tumultuous years saw only one state GE and one BE. PAP also registered itself in on Peninsular soil and sent a token number of candidates to contest a Malaysian GE in 1964, cumulating friction between its leaders and Malaysia's UMNO-led ruling Alliance coalition.

On 9 August 1965, mounting disputes between PAP and Malaysia's government had become irreconciliable and the Singapore state was evicted to become an independent Republic. The State Assembly was renamed Parliament. Since then, PAP has won every GE and each time returned with large majority. The term for Parliament is five years, ending with a dissolution and a fresh GE would be held.

Inaugurated in 1887, the MC managed crucial utilities like water, electricity, gas and administered town planning for Singapore's downtown area, with the outskirts under the Rural Districts Council. Both were internally elected bodies until 1913 owing to excess politicking. Elections in the MC were restored, with limited seats, after World War II.

On 23 September 1951, Singapore was conferred a British city and the MC was renamed City Council. In 1957, the CC became a fully elected body and the President replaced by a Mayor after recommendations and reviews by three committees were passed. When PAP won power in 1959, the CC was abolished, in order not for it to become a government pressure group, and its functions were taken over by statutory boards. By 1991, some of these functions were transferred to town councils run by elected MPs.

To date, there has only been one NR in Singapore's history, which was to decide on the island's status pertaining to its impending merger with Malaysia.

In 1992, the Singapore Constitution was amended to provide for a President elected by the people, whose role was to safeguard the nation's reserves, veto arrests made under the Internal Security Act as well as appointments of government officials. Before that, all four Presidents were appointed by the legislature, starting with Yusof bin Ishak, who was also the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (then head of state) from 3 December 1959 to independence. An elected President's term is six years and the criteria candidates have to meet are extremely stringent.