1950 East German general election

Parliamentary elections were held in the German Democratic Republic on 15 October 1950. They were the first held since the founding of the country on 7 October 1949. There were 466 deputies to the Volkskammer (66 from East Berlin who were not directly elected) in total.

1950 East German general election
15 October 1950
466 seats in the Volkskammer
Turnout98.5% ( 3.3pp)
  First party
 
Leader Walter Ulbricht
Party SED
Alliance National Front
Leader since 25 July 1950
Seats won 110
Seat change 14
Chairman of the Council of Ministers before election

Otto Grotewohl
SED

 Elected Chairman of the Council of Ministers

Otto Grotewohl
SED

East Germany
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
East Germany
Constitution
Leadership
Legislature
  • Elections
  • Referendums
Political parties
Administrative divisions
East Berlin (independent)
Leaders

This election set the tone for all elections held in East Germany until the Peaceful Revolution. Voters were presented with a single list from the National Front of Democratic Germany, which in turn was controlled by the Socialist Unity Party. Only one candidate appeared on the ballot; voters simply took the ballot paper and dropped it into the ballot box. Those who wanted to vote against the candidate had to go to a special booth, without any secrecy.[1] Seats were apportioned based on a set quota, not actual vote totals.[2] By ensuring that its candidates dominated the list, the SED effectively predetermined the composition of the Volkskammer.

According to official figures, the National Front list received the approval of 99.6% of voters, with turnout reported to be 98.5%.[3]

Results
Alliance Party Votes % Seats
Directly
elected		 Indirectly
elected		 Total +/–
National FrontSocialist Unity Party of Germany12,088,74599.610010110+14
Christian Democratic Union60767+21
Liberal Democratic Party of Germany60666+20
Free German Trade Union Federation40949+19
National Democratic Party of Germany30535+18
Democratic Farmers' Party of Germany30333+18
Free German Youth20525+15
Cultural Association of the DDR20424–11
Democratic Women's League of Germany15520+10
Union of Persecutees of the Nazi Regime15419+9
Peasants Mutual Aid Association10212+7
Eastern Bureau of the Social Democratic Party of Germany066+1
Against51,1870.4––––
Invalid/blank votes
Total12,139,93210040066466+136
Registered voters/turnout12,325,16898.5––––
Source: Nohlen & Stöver (votes)

References
  1. Sebetsyen, Victor (2009). Revolution 1989: The Fall of the Soviet Empire. New York City: Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-375-42532-2.
  2. Eugene Register-Guard October 29, 1989. p. 5A.
  3. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p779 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
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