1962 REGISTERS OF ELECTORS

Mr Ong Chang Sam asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many people in Singapore became entitled to have their names entered in the Registers of Electors, on reaching the age of 21 in 1962, under section 5 (1) of the Singapore Legislative Assembly Elections Ordinance; and (b) how many have had their names entered in the 1962 Registers of Electors.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer to (a) is:

All Singapore citizens reaching the age of 21 in July 1962 are entitled to have their names in the Registers of Electors.

The answer to (b) is:

It is presumed that the Member for Choa Chu Kang is referring to the number of new voters who have had their names entered in the 1962 Registers of Electors. 45,066 new voters have had their names inserted in the 1962 Registers of Electors.

Mr Low Por Tuck (Havelock): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister did not answer the question on (a) , that is, how many people? I wonder whether the Minister can give us the answer.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have said that all Singapore citizens reaching the age of 21 are entitled to have their names entered in the Registers. As to how many, no record has been kept. His guess is as good as mine.