During the referendum, the colonial authorities had largely marginalized anti-French oppositionist Djibo Bakary and his Sawaba through a massive campaign in favor of the "yes" vote (approving Charles de Gaulle's proposed constitution), coupled with interference by death squads under general Raoul Salan.

[3] The Territorial Assembly election took place in the context of France's campaign to push Bakary further out of power.

[3] Following the elections, the results in the Tessaoua and Zinder constituencies, where Sawaba had won all their seats, were annulled due to irregularities.

The Tessaoua seats were awarded to the UCFA, whilst a by-election was scheduled for Zinder on 27 June 1959.

Ballot papers were only printed for the PPN-RDA, and due to fears of violence, Sawaba did not put up candidates, calling for a boycott instead.