Singaporean presidential election, 1993
Encyclopedia
The Singapore presidential election of 1993 was the first presidential election held in Singapore. Polling day was August 28, 1993. Former Deputy Prime Minister
Ong Teng Cheong
became Singapore's first directly elected President
. He defeated former Accountant-General Chua Kim Yeow, with a vote share of 58.69% to 41.31%.
was amended to provide for the popular election of the President
. The creation of the elected presidency was a major constitutional and political change in Singapore's history as, under the revision, the President is empowered to vote the use of government reserves and appointments to key civil service
appointments. He or she can also examine the administration's enforcement of the Internal Security Act
and Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act
, and look into investigations of corruption.
By virtue of transitional provisions in the Singapore Constitution, Ong's predecessor Wee Kim Wee
exercised, performed and discharged all the functions, powers and duties of an elected president as if he had been elected to the office of President by the citizens of Singapore, until Ong took office.
and then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew
.
However, some members of the Cabinet and the People's Action Party
supported Chua, including Finance Minister Richard Hu and former Trade Minister and then-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
Tony Tan Keng Yam. Workers' Party members J B Jeyaretnam and Tan Soo Phuan also applied for nomination, but were not awarded the Certificate of Eligibility. Nomination day was August 18, 1993, and Polling Day was August 28, 1993.
The 10-day campaign was supposed to be a "gentlemen's election", free of flag-waving and noisy rallies. But Chua took it to the extreme, urging supporters not to campaign for him. He appeared on TV just twice (once avoiding any mention of himself or his views), and even announced on polling day that Ong was the better candidate. Even so, Chua did surprisingly well, garnering 41.3% of the vote.
Prime Minister of Singapore
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore is the head of the government of the Republic of Singapore. The President of Singapore appoints as Prime Minister a Member of Parliament who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs.The office of Prime Minister...
Ong Teng Cheong
Ong Teng Cheong
Ong Teng Cheong was the first directly elected President of the Republic of Singapore. He was the nation's fifth President, and served a six-year term from 1 September 1993 to 31 August 1999.-Early life:...
became Singapore's first directly elected President
President of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
. He defeated former Accountant-General Chua Kim Yeow, with a vote share of 58.69% to 41.31%.
Constitution Amendments
In January 1991, the Constitution of SingaporeConstitution of Singapore
The Constitution of Singapore is the supreme law of Singapore and it is a codified constitution.The constitution cannot be amended without the support of more than two-thirds of the members of parliament on the second and third readings . The president may seek opinion on constitutional issues...
was amended to provide for the popular election of the President
Presidential elections in Singapore
Presidential elections in Singapore, in which the President of Singapore is directly elected by popular vote, were introduced through amendments to the Constitution of Singapore in 1991. Potential candidates for office have to fulfil stringent qualifications set out in the Constitution....
. The creation of the elected presidency was a major constitutional and political change in Singapore's history as, under the revision, the President is empowered to vote the use of government reserves and appointments to key civil service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
appointments. He or she can also examine the administration's enforcement of the Internal Security Act
Internal Security Act (Singapore)
The Internal Security Act of Singapore is a law that allows the Singapore government to investigate security threats like international terrorism, foreign subversion, espionage and acts of violence or hatred using race or religion...
and Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act
Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act
The Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act is a Singapore statute which, according to its long title, provides for the maintenance of religious harmony, for the establishment of a Presidential Council for Religious Harmony , and for matters connected therewith...
, and look into investigations of corruption.
By virtue of transitional provisions in the Singapore Constitution, Ong's predecessor Wee Kim Wee
Wee Kim Wee
Wee Kim Wee GCB was the fourth President of Singapore from 2 September 1985 to 1 September 1993.-Early life:Born into a humble family, Wee Kim Wee was the son of a clerk, Wee Choong Lay and his wife Chua Lay Hua. His father died when he was eight...
exercised, performed and discharged all the functions, powers and duties of an elected president as if he had been elected to the office of President by the citizens of Singapore, until Ong took office.
Nomination day
Candidates needed to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Presidential Elections Committee and pay an election deposit of S$18,000 to file their nomination papers. Ong had earlier resigned the deputy prime ministership to contest in the election. Ong was backed by influential leaders such as then-Prime Minister Goh Chok TongGoh Chok Tong
Goh Chok Tong is the Senior Minister of Singapore and the chairman of the central bank of Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He also served as the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 28 November 1990 to 12 August 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime...
and then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH is a Singaporean statesman. He was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, governing for three decades...
.
However, some members of the Cabinet and the People's Action Party
People's Action Party
The People's Action Party is the leading political party in Singapore. It has been the city-state's ruling political party since 1959....
supported Chua, including Finance Minister Richard Hu and former Trade Minister and then-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
The Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited , abbreviated as OCBC Bank , is a publicly listed financial services organisation with its head office in Singapore. OCBC Bank is one of Singapore's leading local banks, with group assets of more than 224 billion SGD. It has one of the highest bank...
Tony Tan Keng Yam. Workers' Party members J B Jeyaretnam and Tan Soo Phuan also applied for nomination, but were not awarded the Certificate of Eligibility. Nomination day was August 18, 1993, and Polling Day was August 28, 1993.
Chua's Campaign
Chua was a reluctant candidate and had to be persuaded by the Government to stand so that the election would be contested, and the electorate could choose between two good candidates.The 10-day campaign was supposed to be a "gentlemen's election", free of flag-waving and noisy rallies. But Chua took it to the extreme, urging supporters not to campaign for him. He appeared on TV just twice (once avoiding any mention of himself or his views), and even announced on polling day that Ong was the better candidate. Even so, Chua did surprisingly well, garnering 41.3% of the vote.
External links
- Government Gazette on Presidential Elections Committee Elections Department - Singapore
- http://www.singapore-window.org/sw99/90709sc.htm Singapore Window - Singapore