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53 seats in the House of Assembly 27 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Registered | 247,604 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Turnout | 96.98% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Constitution |
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Guyana portal |
General elections were held in British Guiana on 7 December 1964.[1] They saw the People's Progressive Party win 24 of the 53 seats. However, the People's National Congress (22 seats) and United Force (7 seats) were able to form a coalition government with a working majority. Despite losing the elections, Prime Minister and PPP leader Cheddi Jagan refused to resign, and had to be removed by Governor Richard Luyt, with Forbes Burnham replacing him.[2] Voter turnout was 97.0%.[1]
Electoral system
The elections followed constitutional reforms and the re-establishment of the House of Assembly, which had been abolished in 1953, replacing the bicameral Legislature. The House had 54 members; the Speaker and 53 members elected by proportional representation.[2] The Speaker was elected from amongst the original elected members, and then gave up their elected seat to be replaced by a member of their own party.
Results
Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
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People's Progressive Party | 109,332 | 45.84 | 24 | +4 | |
People's National Congress | 96,657 | 40.52 | 22 | +11 | |
United Force | 29,612 | 12.41 | 7 | +3 | |
Justice Party | 1,334 | 0.56 | 0 | New | |
Guiana United Muslim Party | 1,194 | 0.50 | 0 | New | |
Peace, Equality and Prosperity Party | 224 | 0.09 | 0 | New | |
National Labour Front | 177 | 0.07 | 0 | New | |
Total | 238,530 | 100.00 | 53 | +18 | |
Valid votes | 238,530 | 99.34 | |||
Invalid/blank votes | 1,590 | 0.66 | |||
Total votes | 240,120 | 100.00 | |||
Registered voters/turnout | 247,604 | 96.98 | |||
Source: Nohlen |