PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION 1968

This very first GE for Parliament saw the longest campaigning period ever in Singapore history and also the shortest time Parliament was convened after a GE. Following the resignations of 11 BS Members of Parliament and exodus of two BS MPs from Singapore to escape the Internal Security Department, the legislature was left with only PAP MPs. An Electoral Boundaries Delineation Committee was formed to study the current demarcations, due to an increase in population, and presented its findings on 25 August 1967. The Parliamentary Membership Bill to carve out seven new constituencies was read on 31 October 1967 and passed on 14 November 1967. BS boycotted the GE on the grounds that Singapore's independence was "phoney" and several opposition parties heeded its call. Chiefs of PKMS (former UMNO) Ahmad Haji Taff and SCP (former MCA) Chng Boon Eng turned up but did not file their nominations. Owing to this, three precedents were set - the least number of seats contested in a GE, the first time PAP returned to power on nomination day and the first time a party won all seats in the legislature. For over four decades, walkovers became a significant feature in every GE.

1st Parliament dissolution: 8 February 1968 [Thu]
Nomination day: 17 February 1968 [Sat]
Polling day: 13 April 1968 [Sat]
2nd Parliament convention: 6 May 1968 [Mon]

Eligible voters: 759,367
Voters in walkover constituencies: 674,484 (88.8%)
Total voters: 84,883 (11.2%)
Total voter turnout: 77,952 (91.8%)

Election deposit: $500

RESULTS
Alexandra Delta Kampong Chai Chee Paya Lebar Tanglin
Aljunied Farrer Park Kampong Glam Potong Pasir Tanjong Pagar
Anson Geylang East Kampong Kapor Punggol Telok Ayer
Bras Basah Geylang Serai Kampong Kembangan Queenstown Telok Blangah
Bukit Ho Swee Geylang West Kampong Ubi River Valley Thomson
Bukit Merah Havelock Katong Rochore Tiong Bahru
Bukit Panjang Hong Lim Kreta Ayer Sembawang Toa Payoh
Bukit Timah Jalan Besar MacPherson Sepoy Lines Ulu Pandan
Cairnhill Jalan Kayu Moulmein Serangoon Gardens Upper Serangoon
Changi Joo Chiat Mountbatten Siglap Whampoa
Chua Chu Kang Jurong Nee Soon Stamford
Crawford Kallang Pasir Panjang Tampines
Total seats = 58


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