1957 Sierra Leonean general election

General elections were held in Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate in May 1957. A total of 39 seats were up for election, whilst another 12 paramount chiefs were indirectly elected.

The Sierra Leone People's Party led by Milton Margai won a majority of the elected seats,[1] and gained the support of all 12 chiefs and eight of the ten independents.[2] Margai led the country to independence in 1961.

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats
	Sierra Leone People's Party	75,575	46.13	24
	United Progressive Party	20,935	12.78	5
	National Council	2,984	1.82	0
	Labour Party	1,128	0.69	0
	Sierra Leone Independence Movement	1,126	0.69	0
	Independents	62,086	37.90	10
Paramount chiefs				12
Total		163,834	100.00	51
Valid votes		163,834	99.01
Invalid/blank votes		1,645	0.99
Total votes		165,479	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		494,917	33.44
Source: Nohlen et al.

By area

Electoral area	SLPP			UPP			NCSL			LP			SLIM			Independents			Total		Registered voters	Turnout
	Votes	%	Seats	Votes	%	Seats	Votes	%	Seats	Votes	%	Seats	Votes	%	Seats	Votes	%	Seats	Votes	Seats
Colony	17,117		9	10,001		3	2,984		0	1,128		0	1,126		0	3,481		2	35,837	14	53,517
Protectorate (North)	17,438		6	8,942		2	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	11,938		2	38,318	10	160,129
Protectorate (South East)	17,749		2	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	37,534		4	55,283	6	128,014
Protectorate (South West)	23,271		8	1,992		0	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	−	10,778		1	36,041	9	153,227
Total	75,575	45.7	25	20,935	12.6	5	2,984	1.8	0	1,128	0.7	0	1,126	0.7	0	62,086	37.5	10	165,479	39	494,917	33.4
Source: Sternberger et al.[3]

References

1. Dieter Nohlen, Michael Krennerich & Bernhard Thibaut (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p799 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
2. Bundu, A. (2001) Democracy by Force?: A Study of International Military Intervention in Sierra Leone 1991-2000 p32
3. Dolf Sternberger, Bernhard Vogel, Dieter Nohlen & Klaus Landfried (1978) Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Zweiter Halbband, p1902