1945 French legislative election in Cameroon

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Elections to the French National Assembly were held in French Cameroons on 21 October 1945, with a second round of voting on 18 November.[1] Louis-Paul Aujoulat and Alexandre Douala Manga Bell were elected.

Electoral system[]

The two seats allocated to the constituency were elected on two separate electoral rolls; French citizens elected one MP from the first college, whilst non-citizens elected one MP in the second college.[1]

Background[]

The relationship between the French and the African population of Cameroon were poor at the time of the election; the Africans were unenthusiastic about French colonialism and their economic situation. Although trade unions had been legalised in 1944, commercial interests had subsequently formed the Etats Généreaux de la Colonisation Française, which opposed abolishing forced labour. Announcements from the new body infuriated African workers, leading to the strikes starting on 24 September, which turned into full-scale riots. The violence led to the deaths of eight Africans and the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce.[2]

Campaign[]

Alexandre Douala Manga Bell, chief of the Duala, ran for the second college, but was opposed by Governor . Although some of his supporters were jailed, this only served to increase his popularity.[2]

The first college election was a close race between Louis-Paul Aujoulat, a Catholic missionary, and the candidate representing commercial interests.[2]

Results[]

First College[]

CandidateFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Louis-Paul Aujoulat37127.1464047.27
32223.5636526.96
Jules Ninine31623.1234925.78
Seven other candidates35826.19
Total1,367100.001,354100.00
Valid votes1,36796.811,35498.12
Invalid/blank votes453.19261.88
Total votes1,412100.001,380100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,99170.921,97070.05
Source: Sternberger et al.

Second College[]

CandidateFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Alexandre Douala Manga Bell3,77938.775,27451.62
André Fouda1,64816.914,61245.14
Njoya Arouna1,65416.97
Amougu1,06110.89
Pierre Ripaud2142.201971.93
Albert Rouly1311.341331.30
Five other candidates1,26012.93
Total9,747100.0010,216100.00
Valid votes9,74798.6610,21699.01
Invalid/blank votes1321.341020.99
Total votes9,879100.0010,318100.00
Registered voters/turnout12,46879.2312,58881.97
Source: Sternberger et al.

Aftermath[]

Following the elections, Senegalese MP Lamine Guèye attempted to persuade all the African MPs to form an African Bloc, which would be affiliated with the SFIO. However, the attempt failed, and both Aujoulat and Douala Manga Bell joined the Popular Republican Movement.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Dolf Sternberger, Bernhard Vogel, Dieter Nohlen & Klaus Landfried (1978) Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Erster Halbband, pp902–903
  2. ^ a b c Edward Mortimer (1969) France and the Africans 1944–1960: A political history, Faber, p67
  3. ^ Mortimer, p72
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