Gambian republic referendum, 1970
Encyclopedia
A referendum on becoming a republic
was held in the Gambia
in April 1970. The changes would result in the creation of the post of president
to replace the Governor-General
representing Elizabeth II
as head of state. It was the second referendum on the issue, the first in 1965
failing because the two-thirds majority required was not reached.
This time the referendum produced a "yes". Prime Minister Dawda Jawara
was elected president by the parliament
, replacing Elizabeth II
(represented by Farimang Mamadi Singateh
) as head of state on 24 April 1970.
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
was held in the Gambia
The Gambia
The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia , is a country in West Africa. Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west....
in April 1970. The changes would result in the creation of the post of president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
to replace the Governor-General
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
representing Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
as head of state. It was the second referendum on the issue, the first in 1965
Gambian republic referendum, 1965
A referendum on becoming a republic was held in the Gambia on 24 November 1965. The changes would result in the creation of the post of president to replace the Governor-General representing Elizabeth II as head of state....
failing because the two-thirds majority required was not reached.
This time the referendum produced a "yes". Prime Minister Dawda Jawara
Dawda Jawara
Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, GCMG was the first leader of The Gambia, serving first as Prime Minister from 1962 to 1970 and then as President from 1970 to 1994....
was elected president by the parliament
National Assembly of the Gambia
The National Assembly is the legislative branch of government in The Gambia.- Composition and electoral system:The National Assembly is unicameral and consists of 53 members who serve a five-year term. 48 members are directly elected while the remaining five are appointed by the President...
, replacing Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
(represented by Farimang Mamadi Singateh
Farimang Mamadi Singateh
Alhaji Sir Farimang Mamadi Singateh was the second and last Governor General of The Gambia, representing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Succeeding Sir John Warburton Paul, who had previously been Governor before independence, Sir Farimang was the only Gambian citizen to hold that post,...
) as head of state on 24 April 1970.
Result
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 84,968 | 70.45% |
| Against | 35,638 | 29.55% |
| Total | 120,606 | 100% |
| Source: African Elections database | ||