1896 Orange Free State presidential election

Presidential elections were held in the Orange Free State in February 1896.[1] They were held after the former President Francis William Reitz resigned due to bad health in 1895.[2] The two candidates were High Court judge Martinus Theunis Steyn and John G. Fraser.[2] Whilst Steyn supported the proposed merger of the Orange Free State and Transvaal, Fraser was in favour of closer links with the neighbouring Cape Colony and the United Kingdom.[2]

1896 Orange Free State presidential election
February 1896
 
Nominee Martinus Theunis Steyn John G. Fraser
Popular vote 6,877 1,367
Percentage 83.42% 16.58%
President before election

Pieter Jeremias Blignaut
(Acting)

 Elected President

Martinus Theunis Steyn

The election resulted in a convincing win for Steyn,[1] who received 83% of the vote. He was inaugurated as President on 4 March 1896 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Bloemfontein.[2]

Results
CandidateVotes%
Martinus Theunis Steyn6,87783.42
John G. Fraser1,36716.58
Total8,244100.00
Source: South African History Online

References
  1. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Steyn, Martinus Theunis" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 915.
  2. M.T. Steyn is sworn in as president of the Orange Free State South African History Online
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