1953 Yugoslavian parliamentary election explained

Country:Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia
Type:parliamentary
Previous Election:1950 Yugoslavian parliamentary election
Previous Year:1950
Next Election:1958 Yugoslavian parliamentary election
Next Year:1958
Seats For Election:All seats in the Federal Council
All seats in the Council of Producers
Image1:Marshal Tito (cropped).jpg
Turnout:89%
Leader1:Josip Broz Tito
Party1:League of Communists of Yugoslavia
Alliance1:SSRNJ
Seats1:282
Percentage1:95.3%
Prime Minister
Posttitle:Prime Minister after election
Before Election:Josip Broz Tito
After Election:Josip Broz Tito
Before Party:League of Communists of Yugoslavia
After Party:League of Communists of Yugoslavia

Parliamentary elections were held in Yugoslavia between 22 and 24 November 1953.[1] Candidates backed by the LCY-dominated Socialist Alliance of Working People of Yugoslavia won every seat.

Background

A new electoral law was adopted in September 1953, introducing several reforms. Independent candidates could self-nominate with either the support of a voters' meeting or 200 signatures, rather than having to be nominated by the Socialist Alliance. It was also required that there be at least two candidates in each constituency. For the first time, paper ballots were used, with voters marking their ballot paper in closed booths.[2]

The 282 deputies of the Federal Assembly included 116 from Serbia, 66 from Croatia, 48 from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 24 from Slovenia, 21 from Macedonia and 7 from Montenegro.[3]

Results

With multiple candidates allowed, the elections saw some serious contests, with 14 non-Alliance candidates running in Macedonia, although two of them were withdrawn shortly before election day. However, candidates supported by the Alliance won in every seat and it was reported that Alliance candidates had received 95.3% of the vote, with voter turnout at 89%. Milovan Đilas received the highest vote share of any candidate (98.8%), with Josip Broz Tito receiving 97.7%.[2]

After losing by a narrow margin, former diplomat requested a recount. However, he was publicly admonished and threatened with legal action.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Ibrahim Latifić (1976) Yugoslavia Thirty Years After Liberation and the Victory Over Fascism: 1945-1975, p139
  2. Fred Warner Neal (1958) Titoism in Action: The Reforms in Yugoslavia After 1948 pp222–223
  3. Book: Dolf Sternberger. Bernhard Vogel. Dieter Nohlen. Europa. July 1969. Walter de Gruyter. 978-3-11-001156-2. 775.