1961 Turkish general election

General elections were held in Turkey on 15 October 1961. The Republican People's Party (CHP) emerged as the largest party, winning 173 of the 450 seats. It was the first time the CHP had won the most seats after the transition to a multi-party system, and the first time no party won a majority of seats. Voter turnout was 81%.

1961 Turkish general election

15 October 1961
450 seats in the National Assembly 226 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	81.41% (4.82pp)
First party Second party   Leader İsmet İnönü Ragıp Gümüşpala Party CHP AP Last election 41.35%, 178 seats – Seats won 173 158 Seat change 5 New Popular vote 3,724,752 3,527,435 Percentage 36.73% 34.78% Swing 4.62pp New   Third party Fourth party   Leader Osman Bölükbaşı Ekrem Alican Party CKMP YTP Last election – – Seats won 54 65 Seat change New New Popular vote 1,415,390 1,391,934 Percentage 13.96% 13.73% Swing New New
Most voted-for party by province
Prime Minister before election Cemal Gürsel (acting Fahri Özdilek) Military Elected Prime Minister İsmet İnönü CHP

Electoral system

The electoral system used was party-list proportional representation with the D'Hondt method in 67 electoral districts. In order to receive seats in a district, parties needed to win a Hare quota in that district.

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Republican People's Party	3,724,752	36.73	173	–5
	Justice Party	3,527,435	34.78	158	New
	Republican Villagers Nation Party	1,415,390	13.96	54	New
	New Turkey Party	1,391,934	13.73	65	New
	Independents	81,732	0.81	0	–2
Total		10,141,243	100.00	450	–160
Valid votes		10,138,035	96.34
Invalid/blank votes		384,681	3.66
Total votes		10,522,716	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		12,925,395	81.41
Source: YSK