1961 Portuguese legislative election

1961 Portuguese legislative election

←  1957 12 November 1961 1965  →
All 130 seats in the National Assembly 66 seats needed for a majority
First party   Leader António de Oliveira Salazar Party UN Last election 120 seats Seats won 130 Seat change 10
Prime Minister before election António de Oliveira Salazar UN Prime Minister after election António de Oliveira Salazar UN

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

Electoral system

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

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

Party		Votes	%	Seats
	National Union			130
Total				130
Total votes		973,997	–
Registered voters/turnout		1,315,231	74.06
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

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