Burundi legislative election, 1965
Encyclopedia
Parliamentary elections were held in Burundi
on 10 May 1965, the first since independence in 1962. Voters elected a 16-seat Senate
for the first time, together with the National Assembly
, which had been reduced from 64 to 33 seats. They followed the assassination of Prime Minister
Pierre Ngendandumwe
on 15 January 1965, and were won by the ruling Union for National Progress
.
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 otherthrown by his son, Ntare V, who was deposed in a military coup later in the year, ending the country's monarchy.
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
on 10 May 1965, the first since independence in 1962. Voters elected a 16-seat Senate
Senate of Burundi
The Senate is the upper chamber of Parliament in Burundi. It consists of no fewer than 37 and no more than 54 members who serve 5-year terms....
for the first time, together with the National Assembly
National Assembly of Burundi
The National Assembly is the lower chamber of Parliament in Burundi. It consists of 100 directly elected members and between 18 to 21 co-opted members who serve five-year terms....
, which had been reduced from 64 to 33 seats. They followed the assassination of Prime Minister
Heads of government of Burundi
-List of Heads of Government of Burundi:-Affiliations:-See also:*Burundi**Kings of Burundi**Presidents of Burundi**Vice-Presidents of Burundi**Provincial governors of Burundi...
Pierre Ngendandumwe
Pierre Ngendandumwe
Pierre Ngendandumwe was a Burundian political figure. He was a member of the Union for National Progress and was an ethnic Hutu. On June 18, 1963, about a year after Burundi gained independence and amidst efforts to bring about political cooperation between Hutus and the dominant minority Tutsis,...
on 15 January 1965, and were won by the ruling Union for National Progress
Union for National Progress
The Union for National Progress is a nationalist political party in Burundi, receiving most of its support from members of the Tutsi ethnic group. It is celebrated for its role in gaining Burundian independence. UPRONA's most famous prime minister and Burundi National Hero is Prince Louis Rwagasore...
.
Senate
| Party | Votes | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union for National Progress Union for National Progress The Union for National Progress is a nationalist political party in Burundi, receiving most of its support from members of the Tutsi ethnic group. It is celebrated for its role in gaining Burundian independence. UPRONA's most famous prime minister and Burundi National Hero is Prince Louis Rwagasore... |
12 | ||
| People's Party People's Party (Burundi) The People's Party is a small political party in Burundi.... |
0 | ||
| Independents | 0 | ||
| Other parties | 4 | ||
| Total | 16 | ||
| Source: EISA | |||
National Assembly
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union for National Progress Union for National Progress The Union for National Progress is a nationalist political party in Burundi, receiving most of its support from members of the Tutsi ethnic group. It is celebrated for its role in gaining Burundian independence. UPRONA's most famous prime minister and Burundi National Hero is Prince Louis Rwagasore... |
21 | |||
| People's Party People's Party (Burundi) The People's Party is a small political party in Burundi.... |
10 | New | ||
| Independents | 2 | New | ||
| Other parties | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 33 | -31 | ||
| Source: EISA | ||||
Aftermath
Despite the decisive victory by Hutu candidates in the election, King Mwambutsa IVMwambutsa IV Bangiriceng of Burundi
King Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge was the king of Burundi from December 16, 1915 to July 8, 1966. He was given the title of Mwami,King. He succeeded Mutaga IV Mbikije. Like other Burundian kings, he was an ethnic Ganwa. During the early part of his reign, Burundi was transferred from Germany to...
appointed a Tutsi prince, Léopold Biha
Léopold Biha
Prince Léopold Biha was a Burundian politician and a Tutsi. He was the Prime Minister following the 1965 legislative election. He was the personal secretary of King Mwambutsa IV previous to his appointment as Prime Minister. He was Prime Minister until then Prince Ndizi overthrew his father and...
, 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 otherthrown by his son, Ntare V, who was deposed in a military coup later in the year, ending the country's monarchy.