1961 Trinidad and Tobago general election

General elections were held in Trinidad and Tobago on 4 December 1961. The result was a victory for the People's National Movement, which won 20 of the 30 seats. Voter turnout was 88.1%.

1961 Trinidad and Tobago general election

4 December 1961 (1961-12-04)
All 30 seats in the Legislative Council 16 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	88.1 ( 8.0 pp)
First party Second party   Leader Eric Williams Rudranath Capildeo Party PNM DLP Leader since 15 January 1956 1960 Leader's seat Port of Spain South Last election 13 seats, 39.8% – Seats won 20 / 30 10 / 30 Seat change 7 New party Popular vote 190,003 138,190 Percentage 57.0% 41.7% Swing 17.2 pp New party
Premier before election Eric Williams People's National Movement Subsequent Premier and later Prime Minister Eric Williams People's National Movement

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	People's National Movement	190,003	57.00	20	+7
	Democratic Labour Party	138,910	41.67	10	+3
	African National Congress	1,634	0.49	0	New
	Butler Party	1,314	0.39	0	–2
	Independents	1,502	0.45	0	–2
Total		333,363	100.00	30	+6
Valid votes		333,363	99.96
Invalid/blank votes		149	0.04
Total votes		333,512	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		378,511	88.11
Source: EBCTT