1896 Orange Free State presidential election

Presidential elections were held in the Orange Free State in February 1896.[1] They were held after the former President Francis William Reitz resigned due to bad health in 1895.[2] The two candidates were High Court judge Martinus Theunis Steyn and John G. Fraser.[2] Whilst Steyn supported the proposed merger of the Orange Free State and Transvaal, Fraser was in favour of closer links with the neighbouring Cape Colony and the United Kingdom.[2]

The election resulted in a convincing win for Steyn,[1] who received 83% of the vote. He was inaugurated as President on 4 March 1896 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Bloemfontein.[2]

Results
Candidate Votes %
Martinus Theunis Steyn6,87783.4
John G. Fraser1,36716.6
Total8,244100
Source: South African History Online

References
  1. Encyclopædia Britannica 1911, p915
  2. M.T. Steyn is sworn in as president of the Orange Free State South African History Online

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