PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTIONS 1972

Unlike GE1968, PAP faced stiff contests again, not seen since GE1963, with challenges in almost all seats. BS attempted to make a comeback. WP was rejuvenated by former district judge J. B. Jeyaretnam, while its former leader and Chief Minister David Marshall who considered standing as an independent candidate was knocked out due to a stingray wound. In spite of expectations that PAP will win less than a 100% majority given the situation in previous elections and lose a few seats, it captured every seat in Parliament for the second time and the first time it did so with strong opposition showing. Describing the alternatives as having lost their credibility with swerving political manoeuvres, coupled with Singapore's rapid economic progress and a successful housing plan, PAP claimed Singaporeans saw no need for political reform or pluralism.

Nomination day: 23 August 1972
Polling day: 2 September 1972

Eligible voters: 908,382
Voters in walkover constituencies: 95,456 (10.5%)
Total voters: 812,926 (89.5%)
Total voter turnout: 760,468 (93.5%)

Election deposit: $500