1948 Rural West by-election

1948 Rural West by-election

16 October 1948
Registered	4,279
Turnout	72.94% (0.46pp)
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

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. Independent candidate Balwant Singh Bajaj was elected with 56% of the vote, taking his seat on 19 October 1948.

Background

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.

Campaign

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.

Results

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Balwant Singh Bajaj	Independent	1,638	55.54
	Cheong Hock Chye	Progressive Party	705	23.91
	Garangam Maganlal	Independent	606	20.55
Total			2,949	100.00
Valid votes			2,949	94.49
Invalid/blank votes			172	5.51
Total votes			3,121	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			4,279	72.94
Majority			933	31.64
	Independent hold
Source: Singapore Elections