1957 Burundian parliamentary election

Indirect parliamentary elections were held in Burundi in 1957.

Background edit

The Decree of 14 July 1952 by the Belgian authorities had introduced an element of democracy to the Burundian political system. A complicated electoral system was created, which involved seven stages of elections to eventually elect the National Superior Council (French: Superieur du Pays).[1]

The elections began in the sub-chiefdoms, then were held in the chiefdoms, then the territories, and finally at the national level.[2]

Results edit

The elections in the sub-chiefdoms in 1956, with the elections to the Chiefdom Councils, Territorial Councils and the Superior Council following in 1957.[3] The number of Tutsis elected to all bodies increased, whilst the number of elected Hutus decreased in comparison with the 1954 elections.[3]

Council Members
Hutus Tutsis Total
Elected Unelected Elected Unelected
Sub-chiefdom councils 2,240 0 1,134 530 3,904
Chiefdom councils 66 0 192 24 282
Territorial councils 12 0 56 24 92
Superior Council 0 2 29 31
Source: Sternberger et al.

References edit

  1. ^ Dolf Sternberger, Bernhard Vogel, Dieter Nohlen & Klaus Landfried (1978) Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Erster Halbband, p572
  2. ^ Sternberger et al, p599
  3. ^ a b Sternberger et al, p600