In the previous elections in 1955 only four of the Council's 18 seats were elected.[2] This was raised to 12 elected seats on an enlarged Council of 23 members.[2] The colony was divided into five constituencies, each electing two or three members.[2] Restrictions on suffrage led to only 21,500 people being registered to vote from a population of 180,000.[2] Of the remaining 11 members of the Council, five were ex officio and six were nominees.[2] Five of the members (at least three of which had to be elected member) would be appointed "Members in charge" by the Governor, and would have responsibility for government departments.[1]