1864 Belgian general election

1864 Belgian general election

11 August 1864 (1864-08-11)
All 116 seats in the Chamber of Representatives 57 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Charles Rogier Party Liberal Catholic Leader since Candidate for PM Seats before 59 seats 57 seats Seats won 64 52 Seat change 5 5 Popular vote 39,576 39,750 Percentage 49.74% 49.96%
Government before election Rogier II Liberal Government after election Rogier II Liberal

General elections were held in Belgium on 11 August 1864, the first full general elections since 1857. The snap elections were called upon the loss of a parliamentary majority for the liberal government of Charles Rogier and a hung parliament, following the death of liberal representative Charles Cumont on 10 July 1864. In the last few parliamentary sessions preceding the elections, all Catholic members quit the Chamber, resulting in it not being quorate. The Chamber was disbanded by order of 16 July.

Although the Catholics received the most votes for seats in the Chamber of Representatives, the result was a victory for the Liberal Party, which won 64 of the 116 seats. Liberals gained three seats in Bruges, one seat in Charleroi, two seats in Ghent, one seat in Namur and one seat in Soignies. Catholics gained one seat in Aalst, one seat in Tongeren and one seat in Waremme. This returned a parliamentary majority for the Liberals.

Voter turnout was 76.7%, although only 103,717 people (2.1% of the population) were eligible to vote.

Results

Chamber of Representatives

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Catholics	39,750	49.96	52	–5
	Liberal Party	39,576	49.74	64	+5
	Others	240	0.30	0	New
Total		79,566	100.00	116	0
Total votes		79,566	–
Registered voters/turnout		103,717	76.71
Source: Mackie & Rose, Sternberger et al.