1967 Singaporean presidential election

none 1967 Singaporean presidential election 30 November 1967 presidential no 1970 Singaporean presidential election 1970 Singapore File:Yusof Ishak 1920s.jpg Yusof Ishak Independent politician 47 President Yusof Ishak Yusof Ishak Independent politician Independent politician Indirect presidential elections were held in Singapore on 30 November 1967. This was the first presidential election held in Singapore since the country's independence in 1965. Under the constitution at the time, the president was elected by parliament. Prime minister Lee Kuan Yew nominated incumbent president Yusof Ishak for the presidency, which was met with unanimous agreement by parliament. He was sworn in on 4 December. 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 assent laws and give discretion to the appointment of the prime minister or dissolution of the Legislative Assembly.Tan Peng 1997 9–102 December 1959 New Head of State https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19591202-1.2.69? 28 June 2025 The Straits Times 8 NewspaperSG The term of president was four years.13 December 1965 Constitution (Amendment) Bill https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Bills-Supp/44-1965/Published/19651213?DocDate=19651213 live https://web.archive.org/web/20240730153904/https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Bills-Supp/44-1965/Published/19651213?DocDate=19651213 30 July 2024 22 March 2025 Singapore Statutes Online Prior to the 1991 constitutional amendment, which saw the president elected by popular vote, the president was elected by parliament.7 December 1991 Elected President's Powers For President Wee https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/stoverseas19911207-1.2.2? 6 June 2025 The Straits Times 1 NewspaperSG This was the first presidential election in Singapore.6 December 1967 President Yusof To Be Formally Elected https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19671206-1.2.46 22 January 2026 The Straits Budget 11 NewspaperSG Candidates The incumbent Yang di-Pertuan Negara, journalist Yusof Ishak, served as such since 1959 after succeeding Sir William Goode. In that role, he represented the British monarchy from 1959 to 1963, and later the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 1963 to 1965.Tan Peng 1997 10, 5315 December 1965 Yusof to Be the First President https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19651215-1.2.60? 22 March 2025 The Straits Times 13 NewspaperSG Following Singapore's independence, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill was passed that allowed him to transition from his role as Yang di-Pertuan Negara into the president of Singapore. This bill considered Yusof's presidency to have begun on 4 December 1963. Results The first presidential election was held on 30 November 1967 at Parliament House.30 November 1967 Election of President of Republic of Singapore https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/topic?reportid=004_19671130_S0003_T0003 24 July 2020 Parliament of Singapore Prime minister Lee Kuan Yew nominated Yusof before parliament for a four-year term as president. Lee spoke about his confidence in Yusof and "that he will execute the duties of his high office with the same dignity, willingness, and cheerfulness with which he first undertook them". Following this, members of parliament (MP) Rahmat bin Kenap, Lim Guan Hoo, and S. Ramaswamy voiced their support in their native tongues; Malay, Chinese, and Tamil, respectively.Sam Jackie 6 December 1967 'Best Citizen' Praise For Yusof By Premier https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19671206-1.2.76 22 January 2026 The Straits Budget 15 NewspaperSG On that day's sitting, 47 out of the 51 MPs were present, with four members absent.The MPs absent were Chan Sun Wing, Fong Sip Chee, Ho Kah Leong, and Wong Soon Fong.30 November 1967 Official Report https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/report?sittingdate=30-11-1967 24 July 2020 Parliament of Singapore Parliament voted unanimously via voice vote to elect him as president.1 December 1967 Another term for President Yusof https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19671201-1.2.19 24 July 2020 The Straits Times Following his successful election, Yusof was sworn in as president on 4 December 1967.4 December 1967 Swearing-In Ceremony of President Yusof for a 3rd Term in Office on 4th December, 1967. https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/b5014f52-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad 22 March 2025 National Archives of Singapore He received congratulations from French president Charles de Gaulle, Swiss president Roger Bonvin, Indian president Zakir Husain, Pakistani president Ayub Khan, and Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi on his election.5 December 1967 5 Heads of State Hail President https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19671205-1.2.26? 30 June 2025 The Straits Times 4 NewspaperSG Yusof Ishak Independent 47 47 51 References Notes Citations Bibliography 30em yes Tan Kevin Kevin Y. L. Tan https://archive.org/details/managingpolitica0000unse_l7y7/mode/2up Managing Political Change in Singapore: The Elected Presidency Peng Er Lam 1997 Routledge 9780415156325 Category:Presidential elections in Singapore Singapore Presidential election