1966 Barbadian general election

General elections were held in Barbados on 3 November 1966.[1] This election was the last contested using two-member constituencies, in which each voter had two votes.[2] The result was a victory for the Democratic Labour Party, which won 14 of the 24 seats. This was the last election contested by the Barbados National Party (BNP, also known as the Conservatives). Once a powerful force in Barbados politics, the party nominated only four candidates and was reduced to two seats; the BNP formally disbanded in 1970.[3] Voter turnout was 79.7%.[1]

1966 Barbadian general election

← 1961 3 November 1966 1971 →

24 seats in the House of Assembly
13 seats needed for a majority
Turnout79.70% (Increase 18.38pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Errol Barrow Grantley Herbert Adams Ernest Mottley
Party DLP BLP BNP
Last election 36.30%, 14 seats 36.82%, 5 seats 22.05%, 4 seats
Seats won 14 8 2
Seat change Steady Increase 3 Decrease 2
Popular vote 72,384 47,610 14,801
Percentage 49.56% 32.60% 10.13%
Swing Increase 13.26pp Decrease 4.22pp Decrease 11.92pp

Results by constituency

Premier before election

Errol Barrow
DLP

Elected Premier

Errol Barrow
DLP

This was the last election before Barbados gained its formal independence from Britain on 30 November 1966. On 18 November, in anticipation of independence, the title of the Premier was changed to Prime Minister.[4]

Results edit

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Labour Party72,38449.56140
Barbados Labour Party47,61032.608+3
Barbados National Party14,80110.132–2
People's Progressive Movement5980.410New
Independents10,6617.300–1
Total146,054100.00240
Valid votes79,15499.33
Invalid/blank votes5370.67
Total votes79,691100.00
Registered voters/turnout99,98879.70
Source: Caribbean Elections

References edit

  1. ^ a b Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p90 ISBN 978-0-19-928357-6
  2. ^ Nohlen, p92
  3. ^ "Barbados Electors Association (BEA)". Caribbean Elections. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Barbados General Election Results - 3 November 1966". Caribbean Elections. Retrieved 28 October 2020.