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1965 Burundian parliamentary election

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Parliamentary elections were held in Burundi on 10 May 1965, the first since independence in 1962. Voters elected the National Assembly, which had been reduced from 64 to 33 seats.[1] They followed the assassination of Prime Minister Pierre Ngendandumwe on 15 January 1965, and were won by the ruling Union for National Progress.

Background

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On January 15, 1965, Burundian Prime Minister Pierre Ngendandumwe was assassinated.[2][3] In response, Mwami Mwambutsa IV dissolved Parliament[4] on March 4[5] and called for new elections.[4] New elections were declared on March 29[5] and were held on May 10.[6]

Results

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National Assembly

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PartySeats+/–
Union for National Progress21–37
Party of the People10+6
Other parties00
Independents2New
Total33–31
Source: EISA, [7]

Senate

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Following the National Assembly elections, the 16-member Senate was filled. Eight members of the Senate were elected by the members of the National Assembly—each representing one of the county's provinces. The eight Senate members elected a further four members, with a further four appointed by the King.[8][9] UPRONA held eight of the 12 seats.[6]

Aftermath

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Despite the decisive victory by Hutu candidates in the election, King Mwambutsa IV appointed a Tutsi prince, Léopold Biha, as Prime Minister.

Tensions finally erupted into violence following an attempted coup by Hutu army officers in October 1965. The failed coup was followed by a major purge of Hutus in the armed forces. Hutu politicians and civilians were also killed. The following year Mwambutsa was overthrown by his son Ntare V, who was deposed in a military coup later in the year, ending the country's monarchy.

References

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  1. ^ Elections in Burundi African Elections Database
  2. ^ "Burundi Revolt Erupts but Is Reported Quelled". The New York Times. Associated Press. 20 October 1964. pp. 2, 10.
  3. ^ Weinstein 1976, pp. 14, 212.
  4. ^ a b Russell 2019, p. 152.
  5. ^ a b Cornevin 1966, p. 13.
  6. ^ a b Ndayizeye, Jean Bosco (10 December 2011). "Historique". Assemblée Nationale du Burundi. (in French). National Assembly of Burundi. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  7. ^ Lemarchand 1970, p. 412.
  8. ^ Indirect Legislative Elections in Sub-Saharan Africa: Burundi African Elections Database
  9. ^ "Senate Election, Regulations Are Announced". Daily Report : Foreign Radio Broadcasts. No. 113. United States Foreign Broadcast Information Service. 14 June 1965. p. I1.

Works cited

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