Who shall decide Singapore's future?
In 1955, Singaporeans went to the polls to elect their first democratically elected government.
The election saw different visions of Singapore competing to capture the imaginations of Singaporeans.
This is an exploration of what transpired, and what could had been.
Welcome to the Singapore of 1955
The first public housing estates of Queenstown and Toa Payoh were currently being developed. Most Singaporeans still lived in slum conditions within the city centre, while Singapore still had a rural hinterland consisting of kampungs, plantations, and small scale farms.
We were still governed by the British. As the dominant political parties in Singapore were sycophantic towards British aims, governor John Nicoll felt that it was safe to permit universal suffrage in Singapore's 1955 elections.
The elections of 1955 would be the liveliest election in Singapore history. Political party and candidates of all stripes offered their visions of what Singapore's future may be. At what pace should independence be pursued? Socialism or liberalism? Should we merge with Malaysia? Should Singapore fully urbanise or should the countryside be protected?
Explore the story
Explore the results with an interactive article which highlights stories from the campaign trail - featuring the stories of Lee Kuan Yew, David Marshall, and Elizabeth Choy.
Explore the detailed election results in your own time with a interactive web map that overlays the constituencies over old and new maps of Singapore.
