In the 1961 elections, 218,357 persons voted. The PPP obtained 93,085 votes (42.63%) and 20 seats, the PNC 89,501 (40.99%) and 11 seats and the UF 35,771 (16.38%) and 4 seats. As a result of a successful election petition against the results in the Houston constituency, in which 7,389 persons voted, the High Court found that fraud took place. Criminal charges heard later in the Magistrates’ Court arising from the allegations of fraud were dismissed. These two conflicting decisions in different courts faced the Governor who was responsible for the elections under Article 80 of the 1961 constitution. For whatever reason he did not exercise his authority to call a by-election for Houston. Had a by-election been held, whatever the results, it would not have affected the overall results of the PPP being the winner.
