British Cameroons referendum, 1961

A referendum was held in British Cameroons on 11 February 1961 to determine whether the territory should join neighbouring Cameroon or Nigeria. The option of independence having been opposed by Andrew Cohen, the UK representative to the UN Trusteeship Council, it was not presented as an option. Ultimately the Muslim-majority Northern Cameroons saw a majority of 60% in favour of joining Nigeria, whilst the Christian-majority Southern Cameroons saw 70.5% in favour of integration with Cameroon.[1] Northern Cameroon officially became part of Nigeria on 1 June, whilst Southern Cameroons became part of Cameroon on 1 October.

Results

Choice Northern Cameroons Southern Cameroons
Votes % Votes %
Integration into Cameroon97,65940.0233,57170.5
Integration into Nigeria146,29660.097,74129.5
Invalid/blank votes––
Total243,955100331,312100
Registered voters/turnout292,985349,652
Source: Nohlen et al., African Elections Database

References

  1. ↑ Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p177 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
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