1958 Nigerien Territorial Assembly election explained

Country:France
Previous Election:1957
Next Election:1965
Seats For Election:All 60 seats in the Territorial Assembly
Majority Seats:31
Election Date:14 December 1958
Turnout:36.66%
Nopercentage:yes
Leader1:Hamani Diori
Party1:Nigerien Progressive Party – African Democratic Rally
Last Election1:19
Seats1:49
Party2:Sawaba
Leader2:Djibo Bakary
Last Election2:41
Seats2:11

Territorial Assembly elections were held in Niger on 14 December 1958. The result was a victory for the Union for the Franco-African Community (an alliance of the Nigerien Progressive Party – African Democratic Rally and the African Regroupment Party), which won 49 of the 60 seats.[1]

On 18 December 1958, the Territorial Assembly convened and proclaimed itself a Constituent Assembly.[2]

Aftermath

Following the elections, the results in the Tessaoua and Zinder constituencies, where Sawaba had won all their seats, were annulled due to irregularities. The Tessaoua seats were awarded to the UCFA, whilst a by-election was scheduled for Zinder on 27 June 1959. Ballot papers were only printed for the PPN-RDA, and due to fears of violence, Sawaba did not put up candidates, calling for a boycott instead.[3] Following the by-elections, the UCFA controlled all 60 seats.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Niger-POLITICAL-PARTIES.html Niger - Political Parties
  2. https://www.cairn.info/revue-autrepart-2003-3-page-41.htm Les enjeux politiques dans la colonie du Niger (1944-1960)
  3. Klaas van Walraven (2013) The Yearning for Relief: A History of the Sawaba Movement in Niger, BRILL, pp288–290