1956 French Togoland autonomy referendum

A referendum on autonomy was held in French Togoland on 28 October 1956. Since World War I, the territory had been a League of Nations mandate and then a United Nations Trust Territory under French control.[1][2] The referendum offered residents the choice of remaining a Trust Territory or becoming an autonomous region within the French Union. The result was 93% in favour of the latter, with a 77% turnout.[3] However, the referendum was rejected by the United Nations General Assembly as it had not included the option of independence and opted to continue with the trusteeship. In neighbouring British Togoland, a referendum earlier in the year had resulted in the territory becoming part of Ghana.

1956 French Togoland autonomy referendum
28 October 1956 (1956-10-28)
Remain a Trust Territory or an autonomous region within the French Union?
Outcome
Results
Choice
Votes %
Autonomous region within the French Union 313,458 93.35%
Trust Territory 22,320 6.65%
Valid votes 335,778 99.11%
Invalid or blank votes 3,003 0.89%
Total votes 338,781 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 438,175 77.32%

The trusteeship was ended in 1960 when French Togoland became independent as Togo.[2]

Results

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ChoiceVotes%
Autonomous region in the French Union313,45893.35
UN Trusteeship22,3206.65
Total335,778100.00
Valid votes335,77899.11
Invalid/blank votes3,0030.89
Total votes338,781100.00
Registered voters/turnout438,17577.32
Source: African Elections Database

References

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  1. ^ "Togo - History". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  2. ^ a b Paxton, John (1985). "Togo". In Paxton, John (ed.). Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1985–1986. The Statesman’s Year-Book. Palgrave Macmillan UK. pp. 1177–1180. doi:10.1057/9780230271142. ISBN 978-0-230-27114-2.
  3. ^ Elections in Togo African Elections Database