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1938 Surinamese general election

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General elections were held in Surinam on 14 February and 23 March 1938 to choose the ten elected members of the Estates. Grace Schneiders-Howard was the only female candidate and was successful in the second round of voting, becoming the first woman elected in the Surinamese legislature.[1]

Electoral system

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The elections were held using a two-round system in a single nationwide constituency. To be elected in the first round, a candidate had to receive more votes than 50% of the valid ballots cast. If a second round was required the number of candidates was twice the number of seats available. Suffrage was limited to men paying poll tax, although women were allowed to stand as candidates.

Campaign

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A total of 22 candidates contested the ten seats.[2] Although not able to vote, a group of creole market women set up the Social Democratic Women's League to campaign for Schneiders-Howard.[1]

Results

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Six candidates were elected in the first round, receiving 619 or more votes. A further four were elected in the second. Seven of the winning candidates were incumbent members.[2]

Candidate Votes Notes
First
round
Second
round
William Kraan 953 Elected
Karel Johannes van Erpecum 863 Elected
Clemens Ramkisoen Biswamitre 668 Elected
Julius del Prado 773 Elected
Frederik Lim A Po 653 Elected
Philip Samson 644 Elected
Gerson Philip Zaal 607 611 Elected
Cornelis William Naar 560 490 Elected
Henry George Willem de Miranda 543 263
Albert Calor 445 467 Elected
Grace Schneiders-Howard 442 462 Elected
David Jacques Bert Simons 430 351
Henk van Ommeren 352 374
C.E. Wolff 281 320
J.P. Schüngel 253
J.F.D. Haenen 265
James Alexander Mac May 232
C.R. Schoonhoven 205
J.M.C. Parisius 195
Th.A.C. Comvalius 180
Albert Gustaaf Putscher 149
S. Laret 132
Valid votes 1,237

Aftermath

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Following the elections, five additional members were appointed by the Governor on 30 March:[2] Rachoenandan Brahma Tewari, Nicolaas Cornelis van Gheel Gildemeester, Jagesar Persad Kaulesar Sukul, Hendrik Miskin and Willem Vogel.[3]

Karel Johannes van Erpecum became Chairman of the Estates and Philip Samson vice-president.[3]

References

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