Aden Legislative Council election, 1955

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Elections to the Legislative Council were held for the first time in the Colony of Aden in 1955. However, only four of the Council's 18 seats were elected.[1] Restrictions on suffrage were imposed linked to age, gender, property ownership and residency. With only around 5,000 people voting,[2] the restrictions ensured that only loyalists to the government were elected.[1] Following the elections there were protests over the suffrage limitations and calling for independence.[1]

Background

The changes to the Colony's constitution were announced on 20 July 1955.[3] Membership of the Council was increased from 16 to 18, with one official and one unofficial member added.[3] The number of nominees was reduced from eight to five, one of whom would be chosen by the Governor to represent the business sector.[3]

Of the elected members, one was to be elected by members of Aden Municipal Council and three from single-member constituencies.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sheila Carapico (2007) Civil Society in Yemen: The Political Economy of Activism in Modern Arabia Cambridge University Press, p86
  2. ↑ "6,000 Go To The Polls In Aden" The Times, 6 January 1959, p6, issue 54351
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Changes In Aden Constitution" The Times, 21 July 1955, p6, issue 53278
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