diff --git a/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/allows_selecting/index.js b/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/allows_selecting/index.js
index 9b6be5c689..386e51d608 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/allows_selecting/index.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/allows_selecting/index.js
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ Then('the clicked option is selected', () => {
     cy.window().then(win => {
         expect(win.onChange).to.be.calledOnce
         expect(win.onChange).to.be.calledWith({
-            selected: [{ label: 'option one', value: '1' }],
+            selected: ['1'],
         })
     })
 })
@@ -50,10 +50,7 @@ Then('the clicked option is selected as well', () => {
     cy.window().then(win => {
         expect(win.onChange).to.be.calledOnce
         expect(win.onChange).to.be.calledWith({
-            selected: [
-                { label: 'option one', value: '1' },
-                { label: 'option two', value: '2' },
-            ],
+            selected: ['1', '2'],
         })
     })
 })
diff --git a/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/duplicate_option_values.feature b/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/duplicate_option_values.feature
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..932dd17aef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/duplicate_option_values.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+Feature: Duplicate option values result in a conflict between the input and dropdown UI
+
+    Scenario: The MultiSelect has options with a duplicate value and this value is selected
+        Given a MultiSelect with options with a duplicate value and this value is selected
+        And the MultiSelect is open
+        Then the first option with the selected value is displayed in the input
+        But both options are highlighted in the dropdown
diff --git a/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/duplicate_option_values/index.js b/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/duplicate_option_values/index.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5876097c55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cypress/integration/MultiSelect/duplicate_option_values/index.js
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import '../common'
+import { Given, Then } from 'cypress-cucumber-preprocessor/steps'
+
+Given(
+    'a MultiSelect with options with a duplicate value and this value is selected',
+    () => {
+        cy.visitStory('MultiSelect', 'With duplicate selected option values')
+    }
+)
+Then(
+    'the first option with the selected value is displayed in the input',
+    () => {
+        cy.get('[data-test="dhis2-uicore-select-input"]').should(
+            'contain',
+            'option one'
+        )
+    }
+)
+Then('both options are highlighted in the dropdown', () => {
+    cy.get('input[name="option one"]').should('have.attr', 'checked')
+    cy.get('input[name="option one a"]').should('have.attr', 'checked')
+})
diff --git a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/accepts_blur_cb/index.js b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/accepts_blur_cb/index.js
index 0582e9b2e0..d442738bd3 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/accepts_blur_cb/index.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/accepts_blur_cb/index.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ Then('the onBlur handler is called', () => {
     cy.window().then(win => {
         expect(win.onBlur).to.be.calledOnce
         expect(win.onBlur).to.be.calledWith({
-            selected: {},
+            selected: '',
         })
     })
 })
diff --git a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/accepts_focus_cb/index.js b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/accepts_focus_cb/index.js
index 9785a27b2b..884a4b8bb0 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/accepts_focus_cb/index.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/accepts_focus_cb/index.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ Then('the onFocus handler is called', () => {
     cy.window().then(win => {
         expect(win.onFocus).to.be.calledOnce
         expect(win.onFocus).to.be.calledWith({
-            selected: {},
+            selected: '',
         })
     })
 })
diff --git a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/allows_selecting/index.js b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/allows_selecting/index.js
index 9db09f641e..bb2dbb3c33 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/allows_selecting/index.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/allows_selecting/index.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ Then('the clicked option is selected', () => {
     cy.window().then(win => {
         expect(win.onChange).to.be.calledOnce
         expect(win.onChange).to.be.calledWith({
-            selected: { label: 'option one', value: '1' },
+            selected: '1',
         })
     })
 })
diff --git a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/can_be_cleared/index.js b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/can_be_cleared/index.js
index 8f63757515..169349c5f0 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/can_be_cleared/index.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/can_be_cleared/index.js
@@ -18,6 +18,6 @@ When('the clear button is clicked', () => {
 Then('the SingleSelect is cleared', () => {
     cy.window().then(win => {
         expect(win.onChange).to.be.calledOnce
-        expect(win.onChange).to.be.calledWith({ selected: {} })
+        expect(win.onChange).to.be.calledWith({ selected: '' })
     })
 })
diff --git a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/duplicate_option_values.feature b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/duplicate_option_values.feature
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ada56be850
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/duplicate_option_values.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+Feature: Duplicate option values result in a conflict between the input and dropdown UI
+
+    Scenario: The SingleSelect has options with a duplicate value and this value is selected
+        Given a SingleSelect with options with a duplicate value and this value is selected
+        And the SingleSelect is open
+        Then the first option with the selected value is displayed in the input
+        But both options are highlighted in the dropdown
diff --git a/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/duplicate_option_values/index.js b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/duplicate_option_values/index.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5975467874
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cypress/integration/SingleSelect/duplicate_option_values/index.js
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+import '../common'
+import { Given, Then } from 'cypress-cucumber-preprocessor/steps'
+
+Given(
+    'a SingleSelect with options with a duplicate value and this value is selected',
+    () => {
+        cy.visitStory('SingleSelect', 'With duplicate selected option values')
+    }
+)
+Then(
+    'the first option with the selected value is displayed in the input',
+    () => {
+        cy.get('[data-test="dhis2-uicore-select-input"]').should(
+            'contain',
+            'option one'
+        )
+    }
+)
+Then('both options are highlighted in the dropdown', () => {
+    cy.get('[data-test="dhis2-uicore-singleselectoption"]')
+        .contains('option one')
+        .should('have.class', 'active')
+
+    cy.get('[data-test="dhis2-uicore-singleselectoption"]')
+        .contains('option one a')
+        .should('have.class', 'active')
+})
diff --git a/cypress/integration/forms/MultiSelect/can_set_a_value/index.js b/cypress/integration/forms/MultiSelect/can_set_a_value/index.js
index 4a7d13afc9..81f536b241 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/forms/MultiSelect/can_set_a_value/index.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/forms/MultiSelect/can_set_a_value/index.js
@@ -27,12 +27,9 @@ When('the user selects the second option', () => {
 })
 
 Then("the form state's value equals the first option's value", () => {
-    cy.get('@options').then(options => {
-        const [firstOption] = options
-        cy.getFormValue('multiSelect').then(selected => {
-            expect(selected).to.have.lengthOf(1)
-            expect(selected).to.deep.equal([firstOption])
-        })
+    cy.getFormValue('multiSelect').then(selected => {
+        expect(selected).to.have.lengthOf(1)
+        expect(selected).to.deep.equal(['value1'])
     })
 })
 
@@ -40,7 +37,7 @@ Then("the form state's value contains both options", () => {
     cy.get('@options').then(options => {
         cy.getFormValue('multiSelect').then(selected => {
             expect(selected).to.have.lengthOf(options.length)
-            expect(selected).to.deep.equal(options)
+            expect(selected).to.deep.equal(['value1', 'value2'])
         })
     })
 })
diff --git a/cypress/integration/forms/SingleSelect/can_set_a_value/index.js b/cypress/integration/forms/SingleSelect/can_set_a_value/index.js
index 2b1b5302e4..6bf4174aa3 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/forms/SingleSelect/can_set_a_value/index.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/forms/SingleSelect/can_set_a_value/index.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ When('the user selects the first option', () => {
 Then("the form state's value equals the first option's value", () => {
     cy.get('@options').then(options => {
         cy.getFormValue('singleSelect').then(actualValue => {
-            expect(actualValue).to.deep.equal(options[0])
+            expect(actualValue).to.deep.equal(options[0].value)
         })
     })
 })
diff --git a/packages/constants/src/shared-prop-types.js b/packages/constants/src/shared-prop-types.js
index f8a948214c..598ded80c4 100644
--- a/packages/constants/src/shared-prop-types.js
+++ b/packages/constants/src/shared-prop-types.js
@@ -35,21 +35,6 @@ export const sizePropType = propTypes.mutuallyExclusive(
     propTypes.bool
 )
 
-/**
- * SingleSelect selected item propType
- * @return {PropType} Object with props `label` and `value`.
- */
-export const singleSelectedPropType = propTypes.shape({
-    label: propTypes.string,
-    value: propTypes.string,
-})
-
-/**
- * SingleSelect selected item propType
- * @return {Array} Array of Objects with props `label` and `value`.
- */
-export const multiSelectedPropType = propTypes.arrayOf(singleSelectedPropType)
-
 /**
  * Inside alignment props
  * @return {PropType} PropType that validates the inside alignment.
diff --git a/packages/forms/src/MultiSelectControl/MultiSelectControl.js b/packages/forms/src/MultiSelectControl/MultiSelectControl.js
index eddb20f3ba..386959edb8 100644
--- a/packages/forms/src/MultiSelectControl/MultiSelectControl.js
+++ b/packages/forms/src/MultiSelectControl/MultiSelectControl.js
@@ -57,7 +57,12 @@ MultiSelectControl.propTypes = {
 
     error: propTypes.bool,
     loading: propTypes.bool,
-    options: MultiSelectField.propTypes.selected,
+    options: propTypes.arrayOf(
+        propTypes.shape({
+            label: propTypes.string,
+            value: propTypes.string,
+        })
+    ),
     showLoadingStatus: propTypes.bool,
     showValidStatus: propTypes.bool,
     valid: propTypes.bool,
diff --git a/packages/forms/src/MultiSelectControl/MultiSelectControl.stories.js b/packages/forms/src/MultiSelectControl/MultiSelectControl.stories.js
index cfdd3660e6..29791231c1 100644
--- a/packages/forms/src/MultiSelectControl/MultiSelectControl.stories.js
+++ b/packages/forms/src/MultiSelectControl/MultiSelectControl.stories.js
@@ -17,12 +17,7 @@ const options = [
     { value: '10', label: 'ten' },
 ]
 
-const initialValue = [
-    { value: '3', label: 'three' },
-    { value: '4', label: 'four' },
-    { value: '9', label: 'nine' },
-    { value: '10', label: 'ten' },
-]
+const initialValue = ['3', '4', '9', '10']
 
 storiesOf('Form/MultiSelectControl', module)
     .addDecorator(formDecorator)
diff --git a/packages/forms/src/SingleSelectControl/SingleSelectControl.js b/packages/forms/src/SingleSelectControl/SingleSelectControl.js
index efaef79e4e..78326477fc 100644
--- a/packages/forms/src/SingleSelectControl/SingleSelectControl.js
+++ b/packages/forms/src/SingleSelectControl/SingleSelectControl.js
@@ -39,9 +39,7 @@ export const SingleSelectControl = ({
             onFocus={createFocusHandler(input, onFocus)}
             onChange={createSelectChangeHandler(input)}
             onBlur={createBlurHandler(input, onBlur)}
-            selected={
-                input.value || {}
-            } /* input.value is an empty string initially, so we're providing an empty object if falsey */
+            selected={input.value || ''}
         >
             {options.map(option => (
                 <SingleSelectOption key={option.value} {...option} />
@@ -53,7 +51,12 @@ export const SingleSelectControl = ({
 SingleSelectControl.propTypes = {
     input: inputPropType.isRequired,
     meta: metaPropType.isRequired,
-    options: propTypes.arrayOf(SingleSelectField.propTypes.selected).isRequired,
+    options: propTypes.arrayOf(
+        propTypes.shape({
+            label: propTypes.string,
+            value: propTypes.string,
+        })
+    ).isRequired,
 
     error: propTypes.bool,
     loading: propTypes.bool,
diff --git a/packages/forms/src/SingleSelectControl/SingleSelectControl.stories.js b/packages/forms/src/SingleSelectControl/SingleSelectControl.stories.js
index 1880a39275..8d376a529b 100644
--- a/packages/forms/src/SingleSelectControl/SingleSelectControl.stories.js
+++ b/packages/forms/src/SingleSelectControl/SingleSelectControl.stories.js
@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@ const options = [
     { value: '10', label: 'ten' },
 ]
 
-const initialValue = { value: '4', label: 'four' }
-
 storiesOf('Form/SingleSelectControl', module)
     .addDecorator(formDecorator)
     .add('Default', () => (
@@ -35,6 +33,6 @@ storiesOf('Form/SingleSelectControl', module)
             name="agree"
             label="Do you agree?"
             options={options}
-            initialValue={initialValue}
+            initialValue="4"
         />
     ))
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/FilterableMenu.js b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/FilterableMenu.js
index dff8df3445..b6ecd2b382 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/FilterableMenu.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/FilterableMenu.js
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import propTypes from '@dhis2/prop-types'
-import { sharedPropTypes } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
 import { FilterableMenu as CommonFilterableMenu } from '../Select/FilterableMenu.js'
 import { Menu } from './Menu.js'
 
@@ -37,7 +36,7 @@ FilterableMenu.propTypes = {
     handleFocusInput: propTypes.func,
     options: propTypes.node,
     placeholder: propTypes.string,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.multiSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.arrayOf(propTypes.string),
     onChange: propTypes.func,
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/Input.js b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/Input.js
index 7b6480a208..9c52a17cf7 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/Input.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/Input.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import propTypes from '@dhis2/prop-types'
 import cx from 'classnames'
-import { colors, sharedPropTypes } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
+import { colors } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
 import { SelectionList } from './SelectionList.js'
 import { InputPlaceholder } from '../Select/InputPlaceholder.js'
 import { InputPrefix } from '../Select/InputPrefix.js'
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ Input.propTypes = {
     options: propTypes.node,
     placeholder: propTypes.string,
     prefix: propTypes.string,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.multiSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.arrayOf(propTypes.string),
     onChange: propTypes.func,
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/Menu.js b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/Menu.js
index efb3dae4f7..ada2eb6fcd 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/Menu.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/Menu.js
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import propTypes from '@dhis2/prop-types'
-import { sharedPropTypes } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
 import { Empty } from '../Select/Empty.js'
 import {
     filterIgnored,
@@ -14,17 +13,13 @@ const onDisabledClick = (_, e) => {
     e.preventDefault()
 }
 
-const createHandler = ({ isActive, onChange, selected, value, label }) => (
-    _,
-    e
-) => {
-    const clickedOption = { value, label }
+const createHandler = ({ isActive, onChange, selected, value }) => (_, e) => {
     e.stopPropagation()
     e.preventDefault()
 
     // If the option is currently selected remove it from the array of selected options
     if (isActive) {
-        const filtered = removeOption(clickedOption, selected)
+        const filtered = removeOption(value, selected)
         const data = { selected: filtered }
 
         return onChange(data, e)
@@ -32,7 +27,7 @@ const createHandler = ({ isActive, onChange, selected, value, label }) => (
 
     // Otherwise, add it to selected
     const data = {
-        selected: selected.concat([clickedOption]),
+        selected: selected.concat([value]),
     }
     return onChange(data, e)
 }
@@ -61,7 +56,7 @@ const Menu = ({ options, onChange, selected, empty, dataTest }) => {
         const { value, label, disabled: isDisabled } = child.props
 
         // Active means the option is currently selected
-        const isActive = !!findOption({ value, label }, selected)
+        const isActive = !!findOption(value, selected)
 
         // Create the appropriate click handler for the option
         const onClick = isDisabled
@@ -92,7 +87,7 @@ Menu.propTypes = {
     dataTest: propTypes.string.isRequired,
     empty: propTypes.node,
     options: propTypes.node,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.multiSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.arrayOf(propTypes.string),
     onChange: propTypes.func,
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.js b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.js
index 06100c3fd7..05606ea55d 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.js
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ MultiSelect.defaultProps = {
  * @static
  *
  * @prop {function} [onChange]
- * @prop {Array} [selected]
+ * @prop {Array.<string>} [selected]
  * @prop {string} [className]
  * @prop {string} [tabIndex]
  * @prop {Node} [children]
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ MultiSelect.propTypes = {
     ),
     placeholder: propTypes.string,
     prefix: propTypes.string,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.multiSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.arrayOf(propTypes.string),
     tabIndex: propTypes.string,
     valid: sharedPropTypes.statusPropType,
     warning: sharedPropTypes.statusPropType,
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.stories.e2e.js b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.stories.e2e.js
index 691868ecaa..1ab25ee717 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.stories.e2e.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.stories.e2e.js
@@ -137,11 +137,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
         </MultiSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options, a selection and disabled', () => (
-        <MultiSelect
-            disabled
-            className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
-        >
+        <MultiSelect disabled className="select" selected={['1']}>
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -162,11 +158,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
         </MultiSelect>
     ))
     .add('With prefix and selection', () => (
-        <MultiSelect
-            className="select"
-            prefix="Prefix text"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
-        >
+        <MultiSelect className="select" prefix="Prefix text" selected={['1']}>
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -182,7 +174,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
     .add('With placeholder and selection', () => (
         <MultiSelect
             className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
+            selected={['1']}
             placeholder="Placeholder text"
         >
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -199,10 +191,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
         </MultiSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options and a selection', () => (
-        <MultiSelect
-            className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
-        >
+        <MultiSelect className="select" selected={['1']}>
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -211,7 +200,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
     .add('With options, a selection and onChange', () => (
         <MultiSelect
             className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
+            selected={['1']}
             onChange={window.onChange}
         >
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -220,13 +209,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
         </MultiSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options and multiple selections', () => (
-        <MultiSelect
-            className="select"
-            selected={[
-                { value: '1', label: 'option one' },
-                { value: '2', label: 'option two' },
-            ]}
-        >
+        <MultiSelect className="select" selected={['1', '2']}>
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -237,7 +220,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
             clearable
             clearText="Clear"
             className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
+            selected={['1']}
             onChange={window.onChange}
         >
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -335,3 +318,11 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
             `}</style>
         </>
     ))
+    .add('With duplicate selected option values', () => (
+        <MultiSelect className="select" selected={['1']}>
+            <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
+            <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one a" />
+            <MultiSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
+            <MultiSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
+        </MultiSelect>
+    ))
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.stories.js b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.stories.js
index ffdb8098b6..1c68671ad0 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.stories.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/MultiSelect.stories.js
@@ -135,11 +135,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
         </MultiSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options, a selection and disabled', () => (
-        <MultiSelect
-            disabled
-            className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
-        >
+        <MultiSelect disabled className="select" selected={['1']}>
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -160,11 +156,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
         </MultiSelect>
     ))
     .add('With prefix and selection', () => (
-        <MultiSelect
-            className="select"
-            prefix="Prefix text"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
-        >
+        <MultiSelect className="select" prefix="Prefix text" selected={['1']}>
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -180,7 +172,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
     .add('With placeholder and selection', () => (
         <MultiSelect
             className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
+            selected={['1']}
             placeholder="Placeholder text"
         >
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -197,10 +189,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
         </MultiSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options and a selection', () => (
-        <MultiSelect
-            className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
-        >
+        <MultiSelect className="select" selected={['1']}>
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -209,7 +198,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
     .add('With options, a selection and onChange', () => (
         <MultiSelect
             className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
+            selected={['1']}
             onChange={window.onChange}
         >
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -218,13 +207,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
         </MultiSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options and multiple selections', () => (
-        <MultiSelect
-            className="select"
-            selected={[
-                { value: '1', label: 'option one' },
-                { value: '2', label: 'option two' },
-            ]}
-        >
+        <MultiSelect className="select" selected={['1', '2']}>
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <MultiSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -235,7 +218,7 @@ storiesOf('MultiSelect', module)
             clearable
             clearText="Clear"
             className="select"
-            selected={[{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }]}
+            selected={['1']}
             onChange={window.onChange}
         >
             <MultiSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/SelectionList.js b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/SelectionList.js
index 8ef79d8cb4..d2e32bce6d 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/SelectionList.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelect/SelectionList.js
@@ -1,15 +1,10 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import propTypes from '@dhis2/prop-types'
-import { sharedPropTypes } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
 import { Chip } from '../Chip/Chip.js'
 import { removeOption, findOptionChild } from '../Select/option-helpers.js'
 
-const createRemoveHandler = ({ selected, onChange, value, label }) => (
-    _,
-    e
-) => {
-    const clickedOption = { value, label }
-    const filtered = removeOption(clickedOption, selected)
+const createRemoveHandler = ({ selected, onChange, value }) => (_, e) => {
+    const filtered = removeOption(value, selected)
     const data = { selected: filtered }
 
     onChange(data, e)
@@ -17,14 +12,14 @@ const createRemoveHandler = ({ selected, onChange, value, label }) => (
 
 const SelectionList = ({ selected, onChange, disabled, options }) => (
     <React.Fragment>
-        {selected.map(({ value, label }) => {
-            const selectedOption = findOptionChild({ value, label }, options)
+        {selected.map(value => {
+            const selectedOption = findOptionChild(value, options)
 
             if (!selectedOption) {
                 const message =
-                    'The selected option could not be found as a child of the select. ' +
-                    'Make sure that the value and label for all options passed to the ' +
-                    '`selected` prop matches an existing option.'
+                    `There is no option with the value: "${value}". ` +
+                    'Make sure that all the values passed to the selected ' +
+                    'prop match the value of an existing option.'
                 throw new Error(message)
             }
 
@@ -38,17 +33,16 @@ const SelectionList = ({ selected, onChange, disabled, options }) => (
                       selected,
                       onChange,
                       value,
-                      label,
                   })
 
             return (
                 <Chip
-                    key={label}
+                    key={value}
                     onRemove={onRemove}
                     disabled={isDisabled}
                     overflow
                 >
-                    {label}
+                    {selectedOption.props.label}
                 </Chip>
             )
         })}
@@ -58,7 +52,7 @@ const SelectionList = ({ selected, onChange, disabled, options }) => (
 SelectionList.propTypes = {
     disabled: propTypes.bool,
     options: propTypes.node,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.multiSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.arrayOf(propTypes.string),
     onChange: propTypes.func,
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelectField/MultiSelectField.js b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelectField/MultiSelectField.js
index 8177817ce6..b38ff1d2fb 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelectField/MultiSelectField.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelectField/MultiSelectField.js
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ MultiSelectField.defaultProps = {
  *
  * @prop {function} [onChange]
  * @prop {string} [label]
- * @prop {Array} [selected]
+ * @prop {Array.<string>} [selected]
  * @prop {string} [className]
  * @prop {string} [tabIndex]
  * @prop {Node} [children]
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ MultiSelectField.propTypes = {
     placeholder: propTypes.string,
     prefix: propTypes.string,
     required: propTypes.bool,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.multiSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.arrayOf(propTypes.string),
     tabIndex: propTypes.string,
     valid: sharedPropTypes.statusPropType,
     validationText: propTypes.string,
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelectField/MultiSelectField.stories.js b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelectField/MultiSelectField.stories.js
index 22dfc89a02..93fefb8475 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelectField/MultiSelectField.stories.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/MultiSelectField/MultiSelectField.stories.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { MultiSelectField } from './MultiSelectField.js'
 
 const defaultProps = {
     label: 'Default label',
-    selected: [{ value: '1', label: 'one' }],
+    selected: ['1'],
     onChange: selected =>
         alert(`Selected changed to: ${JSON.stringify(selected, null, 2)}`),
 }
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/Select/FilterableMenu.js b/packages/widgets/src/Select/FilterableMenu.js
index bdfa0c0b69..aecf7dbe9d 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/Select/FilterableMenu.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/Select/FilterableMenu.js
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import React, { Component } from 'react'
 import propTypes from '@dhis2/prop-types'
-import { sharedPropTypes } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
 import { FilterInput } from '../Select/FilterInput.js'
 import { NoMatch } from '../Select/NoMatch.js'
 import { filterIgnored, checkIfValidOption } from '../Select/option-helpers.js'
@@ -95,8 +94,8 @@ FilterableMenu.propTypes = {
     dataTest: propTypes.string.isRequired,
     noMatchText: propTypes.string.isRequired,
     selected: propTypes.oneOfType([
-        sharedPropTypes.singleSelectedPropType,
-        sharedPropTypes.multiSelectedPropType,
+        propTypes.string,
+        propTypes.arrayOf(propTypes.string),
     ]).isRequired,
     empty: propTypes.node,
     handleClose: propTypes.func,
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/Select/Select.js b/packages/widgets/src/Select/Select.js
index d728a4f604..9a82f5f06e 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/Select/Select.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/Select/Select.js
@@ -116,16 +116,10 @@ export class Select extends Component {
             dataTest,
         } = this.props
 
-        // We need to update the menu's position on selection because
-        // that can cause the input area to change size
-        const handleChange = (data, e) => {
-            onChange(data, e)
-        }
-
         // Create the input
         const inputProps = {
             selected,
-            onChange: handleChange,
+            onChange,
             options: children,
             disabled,
         }
@@ -134,7 +128,7 @@ export class Select extends Component {
         // Create the menu
         const menuProps = {
             selected,
-            onChange: handleChange,
+            onChange,
             options: children,
             handleClose: this.handleClose,
             handleFocusInput: this.handleFocusInput,
@@ -186,8 +180,8 @@ Select.propTypes = {
     input: propTypes.element.isRequired,
     menu: propTypes.element.isRequired,
     selected: propTypes.oneOfType([
-        sharedPropTypes.singleSelectedPropType,
-        sharedPropTypes.multiSelectedPropType,
+        propTypes.string,
+        propTypes.arrayOf(propTypes.string),
     ]).isRequired,
     children: propTypes.node,
     className: propTypes.string,
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/Select/option-helpers.js b/packages/widgets/src/Select/option-helpers.js
index 14e9acb01f..ad8fcc0987 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/Select/option-helpers.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/Select/option-helpers.js
@@ -14,32 +14,21 @@ export const filterIgnored = children =>
     )
 
 // Find an option in an array of react children
-export const findOptionChild = (targetOption, optionChildren) =>
+export const findOptionChild = (value, optionChildren) =>
     React.Children.toArray(optionChildren).find(currentOption => {
         if (!currentOption.props) {
             return false
         }
 
-        const matchesLabel = targetOption.label === currentOption.props.label
-        const matchesValue = targetOption.value === currentOption.props.value
-
-        return matchesLabel && matchesValue
+        return value === currentOption.props.value
     })
 
 // Find an option in an array of option objects
-export const findOption = (targetOption, optionArray) =>
-    optionArray.find(currentOption => {
-        const matchesLabel = targetOption.label === currentOption.label
-        const matchesValue = targetOption.value === currentOption.value
-
-        return matchesLabel && matchesValue
-    })
+export const findOption = (value, optionArray) =>
+    optionArray.find(optionValue => value === optionValue)
 
 // Remove a specific option from an array of options
-export const removeOption = (targetOption, optionArray) =>
-    optionArray.filter(currentOption => {
-        const matchesLabel = targetOption.label === currentOption.label
-        const matchesValue = targetOption.value === currentOption.value
-
-        return !matchesLabel && !matchesValue
+export const removeOption = (value, optionArray) =>
+    optionArray.filter(optionValue => {
+        return optionValue !== value
     })
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/FilterableMenu.js b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/FilterableMenu.js
index e383bc54de..9b336485d7 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/FilterableMenu.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/FilterableMenu.js
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import propTypes from '@dhis2/prop-types'
-import { sharedPropTypes } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
 import { FilterableMenu as CommonFilterableMenu } from '../Select/FilterableMenu.js'
 import { Menu } from './Menu.js'
 
@@ -37,7 +36,7 @@ FilterableMenu.propTypes = {
     handleFocusInput: propTypes.func,
     options: propTypes.node,
     placeholder: propTypes.string,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.singleSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.string,
     onChange: propTypes.func,
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Input.js b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Input.js
index 91542eb2d6..3bacb67e58 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Input.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Input.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import propTypes from '@dhis2/prop-types'
 import cx from 'classnames'
-import { colors, sharedPropTypes } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
+import { colors } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
 import { Selection } from './Selection.js'
 import { InputPlaceholder } from '../Select/InputPlaceholder.js'
 import { InputPrefix } from '../Select/InputPrefix.js'
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ const Input = ({
     disabled,
     inputMaxHeight,
 }) => {
-    const hasSelection = 'label' in selected && 'value' in selected
+    const hasSelection = selected && typeof selected === 'string'
     const onClear = (_, e) => {
-        const data = { selected: {} }
+        const data = { selected: '' }
 
         e.stopPropagation()
         onChange(data, e)
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ Input.propTypes = {
     options: propTypes.node,
     placeholder: propTypes.string,
     prefix: propTypes.string,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.singleSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.string,
     onChange: propTypes.func,
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Menu.js b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Menu.js
index 8a7e806f80..4c9198242e 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Menu.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Menu.js
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import propTypes from '@dhis2/prop-types'
-import { sharedPropTypes } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
 import { Empty } from '../Select/Empty.js'
 import { filterIgnored, checkIfValidOption } from '../Select/option-helpers.js'
 
@@ -38,12 +37,12 @@ const Menu = ({
             return child
         }
 
-        const { value, label, disabled: isDisabled } = child.props
+        const { value, disabled: isDisabled } = child.props
 
         // Active means the option is currently selected
-        const isActive = value === selected.value && label === selected.label
+        const isActive = value === selected
         const onClick = (_, e) => {
-            const data = { selected: { value, label } }
+            const data = { selected: value }
             e.stopPropagation()
 
             onChange(data, e)
@@ -74,7 +73,7 @@ Menu.propTypes = {
     handleClose: propTypes.func,
     handleFocusInput: propTypes.func,
     options: propTypes.node,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.singleSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.string,
     onChange: propTypes.func,
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Selection.js b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Selection.js
index af44182132..9369bd5982 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Selection.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/Selection.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import React from 'react'
 import propTypes from '@dhis2/prop-types'
 import cx from 'classnames'
-import { spacers, sharedPropTypes } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
+import { spacers } from '@dhis2/ui-constants'
 import { findOptionChild } from '../Select/option-helpers.js'
 
 const Selection = ({ options, selected, className }) => {
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ const Selection = ({ options, selected, className }) => {
 
     if (!selectedOption) {
         const message =
-            'The selected option could not be found as a child of the select. ' +
-            'Make sure that the value and label passed to the `selected` prop ' +
-            'match an existing option.'
+            `There is no option with the value: "${selected}". ` +
+            'Make sure that the value passed to the selected ' +
+            'prop matches the value of an existing option.'
         throw new Error(message)
     }
 
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ const Selection = ({ options, selected, className }) => {
 Selection.propTypes = {
     className: propTypes.string,
     options: propTypes.node,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.singleSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.string,
 }
 
 export { Selection }
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.js b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.js
index 335979d41d..2c0bae0ae7 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.js
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ const SingleSelect = ({
 }
 
 SingleSelect.defaultProps = {
-    selected: {},
+    selected: '',
     dataTest: 'dhis2-uicore-singleselect',
 }
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ SingleSelect.defaultProps = {
  * @static
  *
  * @prop {function} [onChange]
- * @prop {Object} [selected]
+ * @prop {String} [selected]
  * @prop {string} [className]
  * @prop {string} [tabIndex]
  * @prop {Node} [children]
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ SingleSelect.propTypes = {
     ),
     placeholder: propTypes.string,
     prefix: propTypes.string,
-    selected: sharedPropTypes.singleSelectedPropType,
+    selected: propTypes.string,
     tabIndex: propTypes.string,
     valid: sharedPropTypes.statusPropType,
     warning: sharedPropTypes.statusPropType,
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.stories.e2e.js b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.stories.e2e.js
index a7849125c5..a476351d22 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.stories.e2e.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.stories.e2e.js
@@ -136,11 +136,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
         </SingleSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options, a selection and disabled', () => (
-        <SingleSelect
-            disabled
-            className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
-        >
+        <SingleSelect disabled className="select" selected="1">
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -161,11 +157,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
         </SingleSelect>
     ))
     .add('With prefix and selection', () => (
-        <SingleSelect
-            className="select"
-            prefix="Prefix text"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
-        >
+        <SingleSelect className="select" prefix="Prefix text" selected="1">
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -181,7 +173,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
     .add('With placeholder and selection', () => (
         <SingleSelect
             className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
+            selected="1"
             placeholder="Placeholder text"
         >
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -198,10 +190,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
         </SingleSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options and a selection', () => (
-        <SingleSelect
-            className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
-        >
+        <SingleSelect className="select" selected="1">
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -210,7 +199,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
     .add('With options, a selection and onChange', () => (
         <SingleSelect
             className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
+            selected="1"
             onChange={window.onChange}
         >
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -223,7 +212,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
             clearable
             clearText="Clear"
             className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
+            selected="1"
             onChange={window.onChange}
         >
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -325,3 +314,11 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
             `}</style>
         </>
     ))
+    .add('With duplicate selected option values', () => (
+        <SingleSelect className="select" selected="1">
+            <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
+            <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one a" />
+            <SingleSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
+            <SingleSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
+        </SingleSelect>
+    ))
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.stories.js b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.stories.js
index ba172fb2e7..347ae67b04 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.stories.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelect/SingleSelect.stories.js
@@ -137,11 +137,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
         </SingleSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options, a selection and disabled', () => (
-        <SingleSelect
-            disabled
-            className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
-        >
+        <SingleSelect disabled className="select" selected="1">
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -162,11 +158,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
         </SingleSelect>
     ))
     .add('With prefix and selection', () => (
-        <SingleSelect
-            className="select"
-            prefix="Prefix text"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
-        >
+        <SingleSelect className="select" prefix="Prefix text" selected="1">
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -182,7 +174,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
     .add('With placeholder and selection', () => (
         <SingleSelect
             className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
+            selected="1"
             placeholder="Placeholder text"
         >
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -199,10 +191,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
         </SingleSelect>
     ))
     .add('With options and a selection', () => (
-        <SingleSelect
-            className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
-        >
+        <SingleSelect className="select" selected="1">
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="2" label="option two" />
             <SingleSelectOption value="3" label="option three" />
@@ -211,7 +200,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
     .add('With options, a selection and onChange', () => (
         <SingleSelect
             className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
+            selected="1"
             onChange={window.onChange}
         >
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
@@ -224,7 +213,7 @@ storiesOf('SingleSelect', module)
             clearable
             clearText="Clear"
             className="select"
-            selected={{ value: '1', label: 'option one' }}
+            selected="1"
             onChange={window.onChange}
         >
             <SingleSelectOption value="1" label="option one" />
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelectField/SingleSelectField.js b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelectField/SingleSelectField.js
index 2ddddb0f37..6f57755708 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelectField/SingleSelectField.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelectField/SingleSelectField.js
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ class SingleSelectField extends React.Component {
 }
 
 SingleSelectField.defaultProps = {
-    selected: {},
+    selected: '',
     dataTest: 'dhis2-uicore-singleselectfield',
 }
 
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ SingleSelectField.defaultProps = {
  *
  * @prop {function} [onChange]
  * @prop {string} label
- * @prop {Object} [selected]
+ * @prop {string} [selected]
  * @prop {string} [className]
  * @prop {string} [tabIndex]
  * @prop {Node} [children]
@@ -176,10 +176,7 @@ SingleSelectField.propTypes = {
     placeholder: propTypes.string,
     prefix: propTypes.string,
     required: propTypes.bool,
-    selected: propTypes.shape({
-        label: propTypes.string,
-        value: propTypes.string,
-    }),
+    selected: propTypes.string,
     tabIndex: propTypes.string,
     valid: sharedPropTypes.statusPropType,
     validationText: propTypes.string,
diff --git a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelectField/SingleSelectField.stories.js b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelectField/SingleSelectField.stories.js
index 2a438008ad..888cbb13d0 100644
--- a/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelectField/SingleSelectField.stories.js
+++ b/packages/widgets/src/SingleSelectField/SingleSelectField.stories.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import { SingleSelectField } from './SingleSelectField.js'
 
 const defaultProps = {
     label: 'Default label',
-    selected: { value: '1', label: 'one' },
+    selected: '1',
     onChange: selected =>
         alert(`Selected changed to: ${JSON.stringify(selected, null, 2)}`),
 }