1920 South African General Election

10 March 1920 · The Union's whites-only parliament · 134 seats, 68 for a majority

The National Party (NP) won the largest number of seats, but not a majority. The South African Party (SAP) minority government continued in office, with Unionist Party support in Parliament.

Held under a franchise restricted by race: the overwhelming majority of South Africans could not vote. Recorded here as history, with that exclusion stated plainly.

Government leader before

Jan Smuts

South African

Government leader (continued)

Jan Smuts

South African

Largest force

National Party

43 of 134 seats

Turnout

66.9%

The result

Sort by

National Party

J. B. M. Hertzog · 32.6% of votes · +16 seats

seats

South African Party

Jan Smuts · 36.5% of votes · +13 seats

seats

Unionist Party

Thomas Smartt · 14.0% of votes · +14 seats

seats

Labour Party

Frederic Creswell · 14.7% of votes · +17 seats

seats

Independents

2.1% of votes · +3 seats

seats


National Party	J. B. M. Hertzog	43	+16	90 512	32.6%	+3.2
South African Party	Jan Smuts	41	+13	101 227	36.5%	-0.2
Unionist Party	Thomas Smartt	25	+14	38 946	14.0%	-5.4
Labour Party	Frederic Creswell	21	+17	40 639	14.7%	+5.0
Independents	—	3	+3	5 968	2.1%	—

1 further seat went to parties and independents outside the main contenders listed above.