General elections were held in the Dominican Republic on 16 May 1957.[1] Incumbent Héctor Trujillo was the only candidate in the presidential election, and was unopposed for a second term. However, his predecessor and brother Rafael Trujillo, the country's de facto leader since 1930, maintained absolute control of the country.[2] The Dominican Party won every seat in the Congressional elections.
These would be the last elections held under Trujillo's three-decade rule. In 1960 Héctor Trujillo stood down in favor of Vice President Joaquín Balaguer. Rafael Trujillo was assassinated a year later in 1961. His son, Ramfis, seized power, but only survived for five months before being forced out in November, clearing the way for the country's first free elections in 1962.
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Dominican Republic portal 
