Unlike the last GE in 1968, vibrant contests made its return and PAP was challenged in nearly all seats. BS changed tack from its boycott strategy and attempted to make a comeback. WP was rejuvenated by former district judge J. B. Jeyaretnam while its former leader and ex-Chief Minister David Marshall, who had contemplated to stand as an independent candidate, was out of the running due to a stingray wound. Despite expectations that PAP will not have it as easy this time given the stiffer competition and Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew even anticipating 45 seats as a good-enough victory, PAP still managed to capture every seat in Parliament for the second time. Describing the alternatives as having lost their credibility with swerving political manoeuvres, coupled with Singapore's economic progress and successful housing development without an opposition, PAP declared that Singaporeans no longer saw need for political diversity, which they claimed led to squabbling that would impede its effective governance.
2nd Parliament dissolution: 16 August 1972 [Wed]
Nomination day: 23 August 1972 [Wed]
Polling day: 2 September 1972 [Sat]
3rd Parliament convention: 12 October 1972 [Thu]
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
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