This was the very first election in the first Parliament of an independent Republic of Singapore, which was opened on 8 December 1965 - exactly four months after separation from Malaysia. It was precipated by the resignation of BS Member of Parliament Lim Huan Boon on 31 December 1965, who opposed his party's stand of boycotting Parliament and instructing its MPs not to attend sittings. BS had denounced Singapore's independence as "phoney" - the decision did not pass through the legislature - and said its members would take their struggle for democracy onto the streets. Lim was expelled by BS the following day for "stabbing the party in the back".

Writ of election: 3 January 1966 [Mon]
Nomination day: 8 January 1966 [Sat]
Polling day: 18 January 1966 [Tue]
Member swearing-in: 23 February 1966 [Wed]

Total voters: 13,209
Total voter turnout: 11,346 (85.9%)

Election deposit: $500

RESULTS

Bukit Merah

Total seats = 1