1961 British Cameroons referendum

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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 Cameroon 97,659 40.0 233,571 70.5
Integration into Nigeria 146,296 60.0 97,741 29.5
Invalid/blank votes
Total 243,955 100 331,312 100
Registered voters/turnout 292,985 349,652
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