1971 Trinidad and Tobago general election

General elections were held in Trinidad and Tobago on 24 May 1971. The result was a victory for the People's National Movement, which won all 36 seats. Due to a boycott by all major opposition parties protesting at fraud related to the voting machines used in previous elections, voter turnout was just 33.2%.

1971 Trinidad and Tobago general election

24 May 1971 (1971-05-24)
All 36 seats in the House of Representatives 19 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	33.2 ( 46.9 pp)
First party   Leader Eric Williams Party PNM Leader since 15 January 1961 Leader's seat Port of Spain South Last election 24 seats, 52.4% Seats won 36 / 36 Seat change 12 Popular vote 99,723 Percentage 84.1% Swing 31.7 pp
Prime Minister before election Eric Williams People's National Movement Subsequent Prime Minister Eric Williams People's National Movement

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	People's National Movement	99,723	84.14	36	+12
	Democratic Liberation Party	14,940	12.61	0	New
	African National Congress	2,864	2.42	0	New
	Independents	997	0.84	0	0
Total		118,524	100.00	36	0
Valid votes		118,524	99.94
Invalid/blank votes		73	0.06
Total votes		118,597	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		357,568	33.17
Source: Caribbean Elections