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]
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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
edit| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Martinus Theunis Steyn | 6,877 | 83.42 |
| John G. Fraser | 1,367 | 16.58 |
| Total | 8,244 | 100.00 |
| Source: South African History Online | ||
References
edit- ^ a b Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 915.
- ^ a b c d M.T. Steyn is sworn in as president of the Orange Free State South African History Online