Portuguese legislative election, 1961

Portuguese National Assembly election, 1961

12 November 1961
130 seats to the National Assembly 65 seats needed for a majority
First party   Leader António de Oliveira Salazar Party National Union Last election 130 seats Seats won 130
Prime Minister before election António de Oliveira Salazar National Union Prime Minister-elect António de Oliveira Salazar National Union

Parliamentary elections were held in Portugal on 12 November 1961. The ruling National Union won all 130 seats unopposed.

Electoral system

The number of seats in the National Assembly was increased from 120 to 130 prior to the elections. The number of seats for Angola and Mozambique was increased from four each to seven each, whilst Portuguese India and Cape Verde each gained a seat, taking their totals to three and two respectively. Mainland Portugal also gained two seats.

Following the granting of Portuguese citizenship to the indigenous inhabitants of Angola and Mozambique, they were entitled to vote for the first time as long as they were literate, held a job in a recognised profession, or were taxpayers.

Campaign

A total of 25 opposition candidates registered to run in the elections on 12 lists. They officially withdrew their candidacies on 7 November, protesting against the government's failure to allow "free and clean elections". The Monarchist list was rejected in Lisbon after arriving to hand in their list a minute late.

Results

Party	Votes	%	Seats
National Union		100	130
Invalid/blank votes		–	–
Total	973,997	100	130
Registered voters/turnout	1,315,231	74.0	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

See also

• Politics of Portugal
• List of political parties in Portugal
• Elections in Portugal