thumb|Photograph of Louis Napoleon (1852) by Gustave Le Gray An election was held for a new National Assembly on 29 February 1852, and all the resources of the government were used on behalf of the candidates backing the Prince-President. Of eight million eligible voters, 5,200,000 votes went to the official candidates and 800,000 to opposition candidates. About one third of the eligible voters abstained. The new Assembly included a small number of opponents of Louis Napoleon, including 17 monarchists, 18 conservatives, two liberal democrats, three republicans and 72 independents.
thumb|Photograph of Louis Napoleon (1852) by Gustave Le Gray An election was held for a new National Assembly on 29 February 1852 and all the resources of the government were used on behalf of the candidates backing the Prince-President Of eight million eligible voters 5200000 votes went to the official candidates and 800000 to opposition candidates About one third of the eligible voters abstained The new Assembly included a small number of opponents of Louis Napoleon including 17 monarchists 18 conservatives two liberal democrats three republicans and 72 independents