Presidential elections were held in the Orange Free State in February 1896.[1] They were held after the former President Francis William Reitz resigned due to bad health in 1895.[2] The two candidates were High Court judge Martinus Theunis Steyn and John G. Fraser.[2] Whilst Steyn supported the proposed merger of the Orange Free State and Transvaal, Fraser was in favour of closer links with the neighbouring Cape Colony and the United Kingdom.[2]
The election resulted in a convincing win for Steyn,[1] who received 83% of the vote. He was inaugurated as President on 4 March 1896 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Bloemfontein.[2]