January 1961 Zanzibari general election

General elections were held in Zanzibar on 17 January 1961 for the Legislative Council. The result saw the Afro-Shirazi Party win ten seats, the Zanzibar Nationalist Party nine, and the Zanzibar and Pemba People's Party three.[1]

The Guinness Book of World Records listed the result in its annual editions under "Closest election",[2] the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) won 10 seats, and the Zanzibar Nationalist Party (ZNP) won 9. Specifically, the seat for the constituency of Chake-Chake was won by the margin of one vote, with 1,538 for the ASP and 1,537 for the ZNP.[3]

As both the ASP and the ZNP attempted to form a government, two ZPPP members joined the ZNP and one the ASP. Due to the resulting stalemate, fresh elections were held in June.[4]

Results

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/-
Afro-Shirazi Party	36,698	43.2	10	+5
Zanzibar Nationalist Party	32,724	38.5	9	+9
Zanzibar and Pemba People's Party	15,541	18.3	3	New
Total	84,963	100	22	+16
Registered voters/turnout	94.310		–	–
Source: African Elections Database

References

1. Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p. 882 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
2. e.g. Mark Young, ed., The Guinness Book of World Records 1998 (Bantam Books, 1998) p228
3. "Afro-Shirazi Party Wins in Zanzibar", Africa Special Report (African-American Institute, 1961) p1951
4. Zanzibar: 1961 Elections EISA