1970 Singaporean presidential election

1970 Singaporean presidential election
30 December 1970
 
Nominee Benjamin Sheares
Party Independent
Electoral vote 54
President before election

Yeoh Ghim Seng (acting)
PAP

Elected President

Benjamin Sheares
Independent

Indirect presidential elections were held in Singapore on 30 December 1970, following the death of the incumbent president Yusof Ishak in November. At the time, the president was elected by parliament. Obstetrician and gynaecologist Benjamin Sheares was announced as a nominee, despite not being an expected choice. Prime minister Lee Kuan Yew nominated Sheares as president, which saw unanimous approval from parliament. Sheares was sworn in for his first term as president on 2 January 1971.

Background

The office of the president of Singapore is the head of state of Singapore. It was established in 1965 following Singapore's independence from Malaysia, replacing the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. The role of the president is largely ceremonial, but at the time the president could give discretion to the appointment of the prime minister or dissolution of parliament.[1][2] Prior to the 1991 constitutional amendment, which saw the president elected by popular vote, the president was elected by parliament.[3]

Candidates

Following incumbent president Yusof Ishak's death in office in November 1970, the Singaporean government began searching for a successor. Due to Yusof's extended illness prior to his death, prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and his cabinet were able to plan ahead for a possible successor. Although the full list of candidates has never been officially released, speculated candidates in the media include:[4][5]

When obstetrician and gynaecologist Benjamin Sheares was announced as a nominee, it was seen as unexpected.[6][7] Lee's relationship with Sheares was a factor in his nomination, with Lee knowing Sheares since 1940 when he lived nearby to him.[6] Other speculation on why Sheares was chosen include that he was non-partisan and from a minority race in Singapore. The Far Eastern Economic Review opined that he was chosen due to his profession and success, along with showing diversity in the Chinese-dominated government.[8]: 36C 

His nomination was also seen as a symbol of unity between the government and academics, as the People's Action Party-led government had previously criticised the medical profession, the National University of Singapore, and the Eurasian community for their "flaccid anti-colonialism" after their victory at the 1959 general election.[8]: 36C 

Results

The presidential election was held on 30 December 1970 at Parliament House.[9] Prime minister Lee nominated Sheares before parliament for a four-year term as president.[2] Speaking about him, Lee described him as "by disposition courteous, and by nature kind, modest and friendly". This was followed by members of parliament (MP) Rahmat bin Kenap, Ch'ng Jit Koon, and P. Govindaswamy speaking in support of Lee's nomination.[10]

On that day's sitting, 54 out of the 58 MPs were present, with four members absent.[a][11] Parliament unanimously voted to elect him as president. Following his successful election, Sheares was sworn in on 2 January 1971.[10] His mother was 91 years old when she learnt that he had been elected president. Just two weeks before she died, she said "God has blessed Bennie especially after the way he looked after us and me."[8]: 26C 

CandidatePartyVotes%
Benjamin ShearesIndependent54100.00
Total54100.00
Total votes54–
Registered voters/turnout5893.10

References

Notes

  1. ^ The MPs were Yeoh Ghim Seng, Ong Pang Boon, Tang See Chim, and Ya'acob bin Mohamed.[11]

Citations

  1. ^ Tan & Peng 1997, pp. 9–10
  2. ^ a b "Election of President Today". The Straits Times. 30 December 1970. p. 6. Retrieved 28 January 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  3. ^ "Elected President's Powers For President Wee". The Straits Times. 7 December 1991. p. 1. Retrieved 28 January 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  4. ^ Tan & Peng 1997, pp. 10–11
  5. ^ "Who Will Become The Next Head of State?". The Straits Times. 25 November 1970. p. 17. Retrieved 28 January 2026 – via NewspaperSG.
  6. ^ a b Tan & Peng 1997, p. 11
  7. ^ "The Choice For President". Singapore Herald. 28 December 1970. p. 3. Retrieved 28 January 2026 – via NewspaperSG. The nomination of Prof. Benjamin Henry Sheares for the office of President of the Republic of Singapore will have come as a surprise to most people. His name was not among those mentioned in public discussion.
  8. ^ a b c Sheares, Joseph H. H. (July 2005). "Benjamin Henry Sheares, MD, MS, FRCOG: President, Republic of Singapore 1971–1981; Obstetrician and Gynaecologist 1931–1981 : A Biography, 12th August 1907 – 12th May 1981" (PDF). Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. 34 (6): 25C–41C. doi:10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.V34N6p25C. ISSN 0304-4602. PMID 16010377. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2006.
  9. ^ "Election of President of Republic of Singapore". Parliament of Singapore. 30 December 1970. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b "All 'ayes' for Sheares". The Straits Times. 31 December 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 24 July 2020 – via NewspaperSG.
  11. ^ a b "Official Report". Parliament of Singapore. 30 December 1970. Retrieved 24 July 2020.

Bibliography

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