1965 Gambian republic referendum

A referendum on becoming a republic was held in the Gambia on 24 November 1965.^[1] If the referendum had passed, the post of president would have replaced Elizabeth II as head of state, and thus eliminated the post of Governor-General.

There were 154,626 registered voters for the referendum, with 93,484 valid votes cast. 65.85% of voters voted for the proposal, but failed to reach the two-thirds support required for the proposal to be accepted.

A second referendum was held in 1970, which resulted in a successful "yes" vote. Prime Minister Dawda Jawara was elected president by the parliament, replacing Elizabeth II (represented by Farimang Mamadi Singateh) as head of state on 24 April 1970.

Result

Choice	Votes	%
For	61,563	65.85
Against	31,921	34.15
Total	93,484	100
Registered voters/turnout	154,626	60.46
Source: African Elections database

References

^ 1965 Plebiscite African Elections Database

[1] 1965 Plebiscite African Elections Database

[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