1970 Gambian republic referendum

A referendum on becoming a republic was held in the Gambia in April 1970. The changes resulted in the creation of the post of President to replace Elizabeth II as head of state, thus eliminating the post of Governor-General. It was the second referendum on the issue: the first in 1965 failed because the two-thirds majority required was not reached.

This time the referendum produced a "yes" result. The Prime Minister Sir Dawda Jawara was elected the first President by the parliament, replacing Elizabeth II (represented by Governor-General Sir Farimang Mamadi Singateh) 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
Registered voters/turnout	133,813	90.1
Source: Hughes & Perfect^[1]

References

^ Arnold Hughes & David Perfect (2006) A political history of the Gambia, 1816–1994, University of Rochester Press, p346

[1] Arnold Hughes & David Perfect (2006) A political history of the Gambia, 1816–1994, University of Rochester Press, p346

[1]

v t e Elections and referendums in The Gambia
Presidential elections	1982 1987 1992 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021
Parliamentary elections	1947 1951 1954 1960 1962 1966 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012 2017 2022
Local elections	2002 2008 2013 2018 2023
Referendums	1965 1970 1996