During the 1950s the Dutch government began to prepare Netherlands New Guinea for full independence and allowed elections in 1959; an elected Papuan council, the New Guinea Council ("Nieuw Guinea Raad") took office on 5 April 1961.
During the 1950s the Dutch government began to establish institutions on Netherlands New Guinea, claiming that it was preparing the territory for independence by the 1970s. An elected Papuan council, the New Guinea Council ("Nieuw Guinea Raad") was established on 5 April 1961.