1960 Basutoland general election
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General elections were held in Basutoland in 1960 after a new Constitution was approved by the British authorities in September 1959.[1] The public elected nine District Councils with a total of 162 members on 20 January.[2] The District Councils subsequently elected 40 members of the National Council,[1] with a further 14 members nominated by Moshoeshoe II, 22 members drawn from principal and ward chiefs and four members from among senior government officials.[3]
Voter turnout was very low, with just 35,000 of the 191,000 registered voters taking part in the election.[1] The new National Council was opened on 12 March.[1]
Results
District Councils
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basutoland Congress Party | 12,787 | 36.22 | 73 | |
| Basutoland National Party | 7,002 | 19.83 | 22 | |
| Marema-Tlou Party | 2,812 | 7.97 | 16 | |
| Basutoland Progressive Association | 231 | 0.65 | 0 | |
| Independents | 12,470 | 35.32 | 51 | |
| Total | 35,302 | 100.00 | 162 | |
| Source: Sternberger et al. | ||||
National Council
| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Basutoland Congress Party | 30 | |
| Marema-Tlou Party | 5 | |
| Basutoland National Party | 1 | |
| Independents | 4 | |
| Appointed members | 40 | |
| Total | 80 | |
| Source: African Elections Database | ||
References
- ^ a b c d Keesing's Contemporary Archives, p17318
- ^ Dolf Sternberger, Bernhard Vogel, Dieter Nohlen & Klaus Landfried (1978) Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Erster Halbband, p1080
- ^ Elections in Lesotho African Elections Database
