Parliamentary elections were held in Czechoslovakia on 26 May 1946.1 The result was a victory for the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, which won 93 of the 300 seats. Voter turnout was 93.9%.2
Background
After World War II a 300-member interim National Assembly was formed and met for the first time on 28 October 1945.3 The Assembly created a new electoral system with the country divided into 28 multi-member constituencies. 150 members were elected from Bohemia, 81 from Moravia and Silesia and 69 from Slovakia. The voting age was lowered to 18, but only Czech, Slovak and other Slavs could register to vote.3
Results
| Party |
Votes |
% |
Seats |
+/– |
| Communist Party of Czechoslovakia |
2,205,697 |
31.2 |
93 |
+63 |
| Czechoslovak National Socialist Party |
1,298,980 |
18.4 |
55 |
+27 |
| Czechoslovak People's Party |
1,111,009 |
15.7 |
46 |
+24 |
| Democratic Party |
999,622 |
14.1 |
43 |
New |
| Czechoslovak Social Democracy |
855,538 |
12.1 |
37 |
New |
| Communist Party of Slovakia |
489,596 |
6.9 |
21 |
New |
| Freedom Party |
60,195 |
0.9 |
3 |
New |
| Labour Party |
50,079 |
0.7 |
2 |
New |
| Invalid/blank votes |
59,427 |
– |
– |
– |
| Total |
7,130,143 |
100 |
300 |
0 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
Aftermath
Following the elections the Communist Party formed a coalition government. However, they gradually took control of the entire government. After the non-Communist members resigned from the Cabinet on 25 February 1948, the Communists were able to take full control of the country.4
References
 Elections in Czechoslovakia |
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| Parliamentary elections |
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| Local and municipal elections |
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