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.