1896 Orange Free State presidential election

Last updated July 03, 2025

Presidential elections were held in the Orange Free State in February 1896.^[1] They were held after the former President Francis William Reitz resigned due to bad health in 1895.^[2] The two candidates were High Court judge Martinus Theunis Steyn and John G. Fraser.^[2] Whilst Steyn supported the proposed merger of the Orange Free State and Transvaal, Fraser was in favour of closer links with the neighbouring Cape Colony and the United Kingdom.^[2]

The election resulted in a convincing win for Steyn,^[1] who received 83% of the vote. He was inaugurated as president on 4 March 1896 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Bloemfontein.^[2]

Results


Candidate	Votes	%
Martinus Theunis Steyn	6,877	83.42
John G. Fraser	1,367	16.58
Total	8,244	100.00

Source: South African History Online^[2]

References

1 2 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Steyn, Martinus Theunis" . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 915.
1 2 3 4 5 M.T. Steyn is sworn in as president of the Orange Free State South African History Online

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[EB-1] 1 2 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Steyn, Martinus Theunis" . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 915.

[SAH-2] 1 2 3 4 5 M.T. Steyn is sworn in as president of the Orange Free State South African History Online

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