November 1888 Serbian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Serbia in November 1888.[1] The result was a victory for the People's Radical Party.[2]

Electoral system

The Parliament 628 members; 88 directly elected in 23 boroughs and 540 indirectly elected to represent rural constituencies. In rural areas voters would first elect electors, who would in turn elect the MPs.[3] Around 32,000 people were registered to vote.[1]

Campaign

The People's Radical Party were largely funded by Russian backing.[4] Many of their candidates claimed that Serbia did not need an army, but should instead rely on militia.[5]

Conduct

On 28 November King Milan annulled the elections held in rural seats on the basis that the elections had not been free.[3] The People's Radical Party had complained of interference by the police, whilst the Progressive Party had complained that the Radicals had conducted a violent campaign. The King ordered voting to restart on 3 December with three royal commissioners to attend each constituency.[3]

Results

The People's Radical Party were expected to have a majority of around 40 following the original elections, but after the rural constituencies voted for a second time, the majority was increased to nearly 200.[6] The Progressive Party won several seats in the original elections, but were almost wiped out in the second vote.[7]

Party	Seats
People's Radical Party	450
Liberal Party	150
Progressive Party	2
Others	26
Source: The Times[2]

References

1. "News in Brief", The Times, 21 November 1888
2. "Servia", The Times, 19 December 1888
3. "Servia", The Times, 30 November 1888
4. "King Milan's Abdication", The Times, 8 March 1889
5. "Servia", The Times, 9 March 1889
6. "Servia", The Times, 7 December 1888
7. "King Milan", The Times, 6 March 1889