Las elecciones de 1844: normativa, desarrollo y fraude

Abstract

Elections in the reign of Isabel II have been often studied. The article deals instead, with the development of the electoral mechanisms and practice at the national level, in the 1844 elections. It is based on documentary sources of the Congress and in the press, plus the available bibliography. This article shows that elections were vitiated by the withdrawal of the Progressive Party personal ambitions of Moderate candidates –divided in two political parties– and by the electoral fraud by the Goverment in all the phases of the electoral process –electoral rolls, polling stations…–. The article provides by new data on the electoral results and composition of the Congress.