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1957 Zanzibari general election

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General elections for the Legislative Council were held in Zanzibar for the first time in July 1957. It was largely a contest between the Afro-Shirazi Union and the Zanzibar Nationalist Party, with the ASU and its supporters winning five of the six contested seats.[1] They were also the first elections to be held in East Africa.[2]

Background

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In 1926 the British colonial authorities introduced Legislative and Executive Councils to the islands, preventing the Sultan from legislating without their consent.[2] In 1954 the number of members of the Council was expanded to 12. Two years later the British authorities appointed Walter Coutts to advise the government on how to obtain public representation on the Council, albeit as "unofficial" members.[2] Coutts' report suggested election of six members based on a list system, with candidates limited to property owners, people over 40, and those with a specific level of education, and that voters should meet the property criteria. This proposal meant that only 14% of the islands' population were eligible to vote.[2]

Campaign

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The main parties were the Zanzibar Nationalist Party, which had been established in December 1955, and the Afro-Shirazi Union, founded in February 1957 by a merger of the African Association (founded in 1934) and the Shirazi Association (1938),[3] whilst the Indian-dominated Muslim Association also competed.

Results

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The election was characterised by significant interest, and voter turnout was 90.2%.[4]

PartyVotes%Seats
Afro-Shirazi Union13,05236.913
Independents (Shirazi Association)9,23726.122
Zanzibar Nationalist Party7,76121.950
Independents (Zanzibar Nationalist Party)3,2219.110
Independents (Muslim Association)5191.471
Independents (Afro-Shirazi Union)3921.110
Independents (Comorian Association)550.160
Independents1,1243.180
Total35,361100.006
Valid votes35,36198.28
Invalid/blank votes6191.72
Total votes35,980100.00
Registered voters/turnout39,87390.24
Source: Lofchie, Nohlen et al.

By constituency

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Constituency Candidate Party Supported by Votes Notes
Ngambo Abeid Karume Afro-Shirazi Union Afro-Shirazi Union 3,328 Elected
Ali Muhsin Barwani Zanzibar Nationalist Party Zanzibar Nationalist Party 918
Ibuni Saleh Independent Comorian Association 55
Pemba North Ali Sharif Mussa Independent Shirazi Association 3,386 Elected
Rashid Hamadi Athumani Zanzibar Nationalist Party Zanzibar Nationalist Party 3,182
Shaaban Sudi Mponda Afro-Shirazi Union African Association 657
Pemba South Muhammad Shamte Hamadi Independent Shirazi Association 5,851 Elected
Rashid Ali el-Khaify Zanzibar Nationalist Party Zanzibar Nationalist Party 1,488
Abdulla Seuleiman Ali Busaidy Independent 1,075
Stone Town Sher Mohammed Chowdhary Independent Muslim Association 519 Elected
Rutti A. Bulsara Zanzibar Nationalist Party Zanzibar Nationalist Party 494
Anverali Hassan Virji Independent Afro-Shirazi Union 392
Abdul Qadir Mukri Independent 49
Zanzibar North Daud Mahmoud Afro-Shirazi Union Afro-Shirazi Union 3,687 Elected
Haji Mohammed Juma Independent Zanzibar Nationalist Party 3,221
Zanzibar South Ameri Tajo Afro-Shirazi Union Afro-Shirazi Union 5,380 Elected
Amour Zahor Said Zanzibar Nationalist Party Zanzibar Nationalist Party 1,679
Source: Lofchie

Aftermath

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Following the election, both the ZNP and ASU experienced infighting, resulting in some ASU members leaving to establish the Zanzibar and Pemba People's Party in 1959, and some ZNP members leaving to form the Umma Party in 1963.[3]

In 1960 Sir Hilary Blood was appointed Constitutional Commissioner by the British authorities, with the remit to advise the government on constitutional development in Zanzibar. His proposals included making the leader of the party with the most seats Chief Minister, for ministerial portfolios to be created, for the Council to have 22 constituency-based seats, that electoral qualifications should be abolished, and that women should have the right to vote.[1]

The British government accepted Blood's proposals, and fresh elections were held in January 1961.

References

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  1. ^ a b Zanzibar: 1957 Election EISA
  2. ^ a b c d Zanzibar: Elections background EISA
  3. ^ a b Zanzibar: Formation of Political Parties EISA
  4. ^ Dieter Nohlen, Michael Krennerich & Bernhard Thibaut (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p879 ISBN 0-19-829645-2