1874 Belgian general election

1874 Belgian general election

9 June 1874 (1874-06-09)
61 of the 124 seats in the Chamber of Representatives 63 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Barthélémy de Theux de Meylandt Walthère Frère-Orban Party Catholic Liberal Leader since Candidate for PM Candidate for PM Seats before 71 seats 53 seats Seats won 26 35 Seats after 68 56 Seat change 3 3 Popular vote 15,864 17,531 Percentage 47.50% 52.50%
Government before election de Theux de Meylandt III Catholic Elected Government de Theux de Meylandt III Catholic

Partial general elections were held in Belgium on 9 June 1874. The result was a victory for the Catholic Party, which won 68 of the 124 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 34 of the 62 seats in the Senate. Voter turnout was 64.1%, although only 52,074 people were eligible to vote.

Under the alternating system, elections for the Chamber of Representatives were only held in four out of the nine provinces: Hainaut, Limburg, Liège and East Flanders.

Incumbent Head of Government Barthélémy de Theux de Meylandt was re-elected in the arrondissement of Hasselt but died on 21 August 1874. A special election was held on 27 September 1874 to replace him, which Henri de Pitteurs-Hiegaerts won.

Additionally, a special election was held in the arrondissement of Tielt to replace Gustave de Mûelenaere, who died on 8 July 1874. Auguste Beernaert was elected to succeed him.

Results

Chamber of Representatives

Party	Votes	%	Seats
			Won	Total	+/–
Liberal Party	17,531	52.5	35	56	+3
Catholic Party	15,864	47.5	26	68	–3
Invalid/blank votes	2,687	–	–	–	–
Total	36,082	100	61	124	0
Registered voters/turnout	52,074	64.1	–	–	–
Source: Mackie & Rose, Sternberger et al

Senate

Party	Votes	%	Seats
Catholic Party			34
Liberal Party			28
Total			62
Sternberger et al.