1976–77 Guinea-Bissau parliamentary election explained

Country:Guinea-Bissau
Previous Election:1972
Next Election:1984
Election Date:19 December 1976 – January 1977
Seats For Election:150 seats of the National People's Assembly
Majority Seats:76
Party1:African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde
Leader1:Luís Cabral
Percentage1:80.04
Last Election1:120
Seats1:150
Map:1976-77 Guinea-Bissau legislative election - Results by region.svg
President
Before Election:Luís Cabral
Before Party:African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde
After Election:Luís Cabral
After Party:African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde

Indirect parliamentary elections were held in Guinea-Bissau between 19 December 1976 and mid-January 1977 (voting had been due to end on 29 December, but was extended), the first since independence from Portugal. At the time, the country was a one-party state with the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) as the sole legal party. A single, official list of PAIGC candidates was presented to voters, although in some areas people voted for unofficial candidates, who achieved almost 20% of the national vote.[1] The Assembly elected Luís Cabral to the post of President on 13 March 1977.[2]

Electoral system

The indirect election saw voters elect members of eight regional councils, who in turn elected the 150 members of the National People's Assembly.[1] At least 50% of registered voters had to cast ballot in an electoral district for the election to be valid.[1] Anyone over the age of 15 and with Guinea-Bissau citizenship was entitled to vote, unless they had been disqualified.[1]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/GUINEA_BISSAU_1977_E.PDF Guinea Bissau
  2. http://africanelections.tripod.com/gw.html Elections in Guinea-Bissau