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

PartyVotes%Seats
Basutoland Congress Party12,78736.2273
Basutoland National Party7,00219.8322
Marema-Tlou Party2,8127.9716
Basutoland Progressive Association2310.650
Independents12,47035.3251
Total35,302100.00162
Source: Sternberger et al.

National Council

PartySeats
Basutoland Congress Party30
Marema-Tlou Party5
Basutoland National Party1
Independents4
Appointed members40
Total80
Source: African Elections Database

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Keesing's Contemporary Archives, p17318
  2. Dolf Sternberger, Bernhard Vogel, Dieter Nohlen & Klaus Landfried (1978) Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Erster Halbband, p1080
  3. Elections in Lesotho African Elections Database
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