General elections were held in

Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...

between 16 and 20 August 1849,Michael J Schiavone (1987) ''L-Elezzjonijiet F'Malta 1849–1981'', Pubblikazzjoni Bugelli, p3 the first in the country's history.

Background

In 1835, Malta was granted a Government Council by the British authorities. It consisted of the

Governor A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...

, four officials and three members appointed by the governor.Schiavone, pp1–3 In June 1849 Governor

Richard More O'Ferrall Richard More O'Ferrall (10 April 1797 – 27 October 1880) was an Irish politician, a high level British government official and a Governor of Malta. Born to a noble Irish Catholic family at Balyna, he was the eldest son and heir of Ambrose ...

passed a new constitution that increased the Council to 18 members, of which ten would be appointed and eight elected.

Results

A total of 3,767 people were registered to vote, of which 3,315 cast votes, giving a turnout of 88%.

References

{{Maltese elections General elections in Malta

General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...