1879 Senegal by-election

A by-election for the French National Assembly was held in Senegal in 1879. Although Maréchal received over 50% of the vote in the first round, he did not reach the quorum of 25% of registered voters. Alfred Gasconi, the Republican candidate,[1] was elected in the second round of voting.

Background

The single Senegalese seat in the National Assembly had been abolished by a decree of 2 February 1852.[2] Although it was restored in 1871,[3] a new electoral law was passed in 1875 that did not mention Senegal, meaning no MP was elected in 1876 or 1877. However, a decree of 1879 reinstated the seat.[2]

Electoral system

The election was held using the two-round system, with a candidate required to get over 50% of the vote and a number of votes equivalent to 25% of the registered voters to win in the first round.

Results

Candidate	First round		Second round
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Maréchal	1,158	50.02	1,134	47.17
Alfred Gasconi	1,186	39.96	1,159	48.21
Crespin	232	10.02	111	4.62
Invalid/blank votes	4	–		–
Total	2,319	100	2,404	100
Registered voters/turnout	6,419	36.1	6,419	37.3
Source: Sternberger et al.

See also

• Four Communes

References

1. Biography French National Assembly
2. Dolf Sternberger, Bernhard Vogel, Dieter Nohlen & Klaus Landfried (1978) Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Zweiter Halbband, p1813
3. Sternberger et al., p1814