 It was only in 1946 , after the Japanese Occupation and the disbanding of the Straits Settlements , that the people were allowed to elect members into the Legislative Council . The Council then consisted of at least 22 but not more than 24 members . Only nine members were elected , out of which the Singapore Chamber of Commerce , the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Indian Chamber of Commerce were each allotted one seat . The other six seats were to be filled by democratic elections based on universal suffrage . Elections were held for the first time on 20 March 1948 . 
