Caciquismo and Electoral Fraud in Restoration Spain

Caciquismo and Electoral Fraud

The caciquismo was a phenomenon that occurred in all regions of Spain, but it reached its highest development in Andalusia, Galicia, and Castile. The adulteration of the vote was a common practice in all elections, achieved through the restoration of census suffrage.

The party calling the elections—having been asked to form a government—would ensure victory through the falsification of results. This electoral triumph allowed for the creation of a large parliamentary majority for the ruling party.

The Role of the Warlords

The caciques (warlords) were prominent figures, mainly wealthy rural landowners who provided employment and held significant influence over local social and political life. These chieftains manipulated elections in coordination with authorities, particularly provincial civil governors, by:

• Falsifying the census
• Buying votes

Political Development and Reform

The Conservative Party held power from 1875 until 1881, when Sagasta formed the first Liberal government, which introduced universal male suffrage. Fear of political destabilization prompted an agreement between conservatives and liberals to support the regency of Maria Cristina and ensure the continuity of the monarchy against Carlist and republican threats.

Liberal Reforms

The Liberal Party held power for a longer duration. During Sagasta's government, reforms were driven to incorporate rights associated with the ideals of the 1868 revolution:

• Associations Act: Eliminated the distinction between legal and illegal parties.
• Universal Male Suffrage: Introduced in 1890, extending the electoral register to all men over 25 years of age.

In 1890, the Conservatives returned to power, followed by the Liberals in 1892. In 1895, Cánovas assumed the Presidency of the Government until his assassination in 1897.