1948 Rural West by-election

The 1948 Rural West by-election for the Legislative Council of Singapore was held on 16 October 1948, after the death of incumbent Srish Chandra Goho on 24 July 1948.[1] Independent candidate Balwant Singh Bajaj was elected with 56% of the vote, taking his seat on 19 October 1948.

1948 Rural West by-election

16 October 1948
Registered4,279
Turnout72.94% (Decrease0.46pp)
 
Candidate Balwant Singh Bajaj Cheong Hock Chye Maganlal Garangam
Party Independent PP Independent
Popular vote 1,638 705 606
Percentage 55.54% 23.91% 20.55%

Councilor before election

Srish Chandra Goho
Independent

Elected Councilor

Balwant Singh Bajaj
Independent

Background

edit

In the 1948 general elections held in March, Srish Chandra Goho was elected in the Rural West constituency. However he died on 24 July.

A writ for a by-election was issued on 12 August and nominations were required by 3 September.[1]

Campaign

edit

Progressive Party candidate Cheong Hock Chye, who ran as an independent in the Rural East constituency in the March general elections, faced two independents, one of whom had presented his nomination at the last minute.[1]

Results

edit
CandidatePartyVotes%
Balwant Singh BajajIndependent1,63855.54
Cheong Hock ChyeProgressive Party70523.91
Garangam MaganlalIndependent60620.55
Total2,949100.00
Valid votes2,94994.49
Invalid/blank votes1725.51
Total votes3,121100.00
Registered voters/turnout4,27972.94
Majority93331.64
Independent hold
Source: Singapore Elections[usurped]

References

edit