General elections were held in Trinidad and Tobago on 24 September 1956. 129 candidates from nine political parties contested for 24 seats in the legislative council. The result was a victory for the People's National Movement, which won 13 of the 24 seats. Voter turnout was 80.1%. In one of the biggest races in the 1956 general election, West Indies cricketer Learie Constantine of the PNM defeated Radio Trinidad announcer Surujpat Mathura of the PDP in Tunapuna.