PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION 1980

Almost half the number of seats were uncontested in this GE and PAP came close to forming the government on nomination day. This also was the first GE of the newly-formed SDP that was to grow in strength in the years to come, followed by decline. The school streaming system and former PAP Minister Phey Yew Kok's corruption case were the main issues of this GE. For the first time, there were no independent candidates. Election deposit increased consecutively but less drastically this time. PAP's share of votes fell again although it achieved a four-in-a-row and final clean sweep of all Parliament seats.

4th Parliament dissolution: 5 December 1980 [Fri]
Nomination day: 13 December 1980 [Sat]
Polling day: 23 December 1980 [Tue]
5th Parliament commencement: 3 February 1981 [Tue]

Eligible voters: 1,290,426
Voters in walkover constituencies: 605,285 (46.9%)
Total voters: 685,141 (53.1%)
Total voter turnout: 654,295 (95.5%)

Election deposit: $1,500 (+25.0%)