1874 Belgian general election

Partial general elections were held in Belgium on 9 June 1874. The result was a victory for the Catholic Party, which won 68 of the 124 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 34 of the 62 seats in the Senate. Voter turnout was 64.1%, although only 52,074 people were eligible to vote.

1874 Belgian general election

9 June 1874 (1874-06-09)
61 of the 124 seats in the Chamber of Representatives 63 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Barthélémy de Theux de Meylandt Walthère Frère-Orban Party Catholic Liberal Leader since Candidate for PM Candidate for PM Seats before 71 seats 53 seats Seats won 26 35 Seats after 68 56 Seat change 3 3 Popular vote 15,864 17,531 Percentage 47.50% 52.50%
Government before election de Theux de Meylandt III Catholic Government after election de Theux de Meylandt III Catholic

Under the alternating system, elections for the Chamber of Representatives were only held in four out of the nine provinces: Hainaut, Limburg, Liège and East Flanders.

Incumbent Head of Government Barthélémy de Theux de Meylandt was re-elected in the arrondissement of Hasselt but died on 21 August 1874. A special election was held on 27 September 1874 to replace him, which Henri de Pitteurs-Hiegaerts won.

Additionally, a special election was held in the arrondissement of Tielt to replace Gustave de Mûelenaere, who died on 8 July 1874; this is of note as future Prime Minister Auguste Beernaert was elected to succeed him.

Results

Chamber of Representatives

Party		Votes	%	Seats
				Won	Total	+/–
	Liberal Party	17,531	52.50	35	56	+3
	Catholic Party	15,864	47.50	26	68	–3
Total		33,395	100.00	61	124	0
Total votes		33,395	–
Registered voters/turnout		52,074	64.13
Source: Mackie & Rose, Sternberger et al.

Senate

Party		Seats
	Catholic Party	34
	Liberal Party	28
Total		62
Source: Sternberger et al.