Upper Voltan presidential election, 1978

Presidential elections were held in the Republic of Upper Volta on 14 May 1978, with a second round on 28 May after no candidate won more than 50% in the first round. They were the country's first multi-party presidential elections, the previous elections in 1965 Upper Voltan presidential election, 1965 having Maurice Yaméogo as the sole candidate. They were also the first presidential elections held under a revised Constitution adopted 1977 Upper Voltan constitutional referendum, a year earlier.

Incumbent president Sangoulé Lamizana ran as an independent with the support of the African Democratic Rally (Burkina Faso), Voltaic Democratic Union–African Democratic Rally. Lamizana was the leading candidate in the first round, before winning with 56% of the vote in the second round. Voter turnout was 35% in the first round and 44% in the second.

Background

In 1966, Yaméogo was 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état, ousted after a general strike in opposition to his rule, and was replaced by a provisional Military dictatorship, military government led by Lamizana. In 1970, a new Constitution was ratified, which was later revised by a referendum held in 1977. The first parliamentary elections were held under the revised Constitution on 1978 Upper Voltan parliamentary election, 30 April 1978, with the first round of the presidential elections being held two weeks later.

Results

References

{{Burkinabe elections

Presidential elections in Burkina Faso
1978 elections in Africa, Upper Volta
1978 in Upper Volta