1960 Basutoland general election

General elections were held in Basutoland in 1960 after a new Constitution was approved by the British authorities in September 1959.[1] The public elected nine District Councils with a total of 162 members on 20 January.[2] The District Councils subsequently elected 40 members of the National Council,[1] with a further 14 members nominated by Moshoeshoe II, 22 members drawn from principal and ward chiefs and four members from among senior government officials.[3]

Voter turnout was very low, with just 35,000 of the 191,000 registered voters taking part in the election.[1] The new National Council was opened on 12 March.[1]

Results

District Councils

Party		Votes	%	Seats
	Basutoland Congress Party	12,787	36.22	73
	Basutoland National Party	7,002	19.83	22
	Marema-Tlou Party	2,812	7.97	16
	Basutoland Progressive Association	231	0.65	0
	Independents	12,470	35.32	51
Total		35,302	100.00	162
Source: Sternberger et al.

National Council

Party		Seats
	Basutoland Congress Party	30
	Marema-Tlou Party	5
	Basutoland National Party	1
	Independents	4
Appointed members		40
Total		80
Source: African Elections Database

References

1. Keesing's Contemporary Archives, p17318
2. Dolf Sternberger, Bernhard Vogel, Dieter Nohlen & Klaus Landfried (1978) Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Erster Halbband, p1080
3. Elections in Lesotho African Elections Database