1961 Portuguese legislative election

Parliamentary elections were held in Portugal on 12 November 1961.[1] The ruling National Union won all 130 seats unopposed.[2]

1961 Portuguese National Assembly election

← 1957 12 November 1961 1965 →

130 seats to the National Assembly
65 seats needed for a majority
  First party
 
Oliveira Salazar, retratado por San Payo (Arquivo Municipal de Lisboa, MNV001514).png
Leader António de Oliveira Salazar
Party UN
Last election 120 seats
Seats won 130
Seat change Increase 10
Popular vote 973,997
Percentage 100.0%
Swing Steady

Prime Minister before election

António de Oliveira Salazar
UN

Prime Minister after election

António de Oliveira Salazar
UN

Electoral system

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The number of seats in the National Assembly was increased from 120 to 130 prior to the elections.[3] The number of seats for Angola and Mozambique was increased from four each to seven each, whilst Portuguese India and Cape Verde each gained a seat, taking their totals to three and two respectively.[3] Mainland Portugal also gained two seats.[3]

Following the granting of Portuguese citizenship to the indigenous inhabitants of Angola and Mozambique, they were entitled to vote for the first time as long as they were literate, held a job in a recognised profession, or were taxpayers.[3]

Campaign

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A total of 25 opposition candidates registered to run in the elections on 12 lists.[2][4] They officially withdrew their candidacies on 7 November, protesting against the government's failure to allow "free and clean elections".[2] The Monarchist list was rejected in Lisbon after arriving to hand in their list a minute late.[4]

Results

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Party Votes % Seats
National Union 100 130
Invalid/blank votes
Total 973,997 100 130
Registered voters/turnout 1,315,231 74.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

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  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1542 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. ^ a b c "No Opposition In Portuguese Election "Discrimination By Government"" The Times, 8 November 1961, p11, Issue 55233
  3. ^ a b c d "Portugal To Vote On Nov. 12 Salazar Opponents Prepare Lists" The Times, 3 October 1961, p11, Issue 55202
  4. ^ a b "New Candidates In Portugal" The Times, 16 October 1961, p11, Issue 55213

See also

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