1964 Northern Rhodesian general election

General elections were held in Northern Rhodesia on 20 and 21 January 1964. There were two voter rolls for the Legislative Council, a main roll that elected 65 seats, and a reserved roll that elected 10. Africans elected the main roll, whilst Europeans elected the reserve roll. Other ethnicities were allowed to choose which roll to be part of.[1] The United National Independence Party won the elections, taking 55 of the common roll seats. Its leader, Kenneth Kaunda became Prime Minister, leading the country to independence in October that year, at which point he became President.[2] Voter turnout was 94.8% for the main roll and 74.1% for the reserved roll.[3]

Background

The Northern Rhodesian African National Congress (NRANC) sought to delay the elections, claiming that twelve of its candidates had been prevented from registering,[4] and its request for the nomination process to be extended was granted.[5] NRANC leader Harry Nkumbula claimed that failure to postpone the elections would lead to "passive resistance" and that any violence would be "the entire responsibility of the Governor and his officers."[4] The election date was also criticised by the People's Democratic Congress, which claimed that good weather during the month would encourage people to do farmwork rather than go out to vote. It also criticised the registration process, claiming that some people had to walk over 30 miles in order to register to vote.[5]

Campaign

UNIP contested all 10 reserved roll seats, putting up candidates including former Liberal Party leader John Moffat and ex-minister Charles Cousins.[6]

UNIP won 24 of the 75 common roll seats unopposed,[6] whilst the NRANC also had five members returned unopposed, although all of them defected to UNIP.[7]

Conduct

Seven people were killed in the Chinsali area by members of the Lumpa Church sect, who were trying to prevent people from joining political parties. Following reports of violence, Kaunda flew to the area to attempt to broker a truce.[8]

The election campaign also saw clashes between NRANC and UNIP supporters, with two UNIP members killed.[4] Fighting between the two in Mufulira in mid-January had to be broken up with tear gas, whilst two children were killed near Fort Jameson when a house inhabited by NRANC supporters was burned down.[6]

Results

Party	Main roll seats			Reserved roll seats			Total seats	+/−
	Votes	%	Seats	Votes	%	Seats
United National Independence Party	570,612	69.1	55	6,177	35.2	0	55	+41
Northern Rhodesian African National Congress	251,963	30.5	10	165	0.9	0	10	+3
National Progressive Party	−	−	−	11,157	63.6	10	10	New
Independents	3,662	0.4	0	35	0.2	0	0	0
Invalid/blank votes	4,178	−	−	224	−	−	−	−
Total	830,415	100	65	17,758	100	10	75	+30
Registered voters/turnout	876,212	94.8	−	23,981	74.1	−	−	−
Source: Nohlen et al.

Aftermath

A new UNIP-led government was sworn in shortly before the end of January. Governor Evelyn Dennison Hone retained responsibility for foreign affairs, defence and policing.[7]

Position	Minister
Prime Minister	Kenneth Kaunda
Minister of Agriculture	Elijah Mudenda
Minister of Commerce and Industry	Alexander Grey Zulu
Minister of Education	John Mwanakatwe
Minister of Finance	Arthur Wina
Minister of Health	Sikota Wina
Minister of Home Affairs	Simon Kapwepwe
Minister of Housing and Social Development	Dingiswayo Banda
Minister of Justice	Mainza Chona
Minister of Labour and Mines	Justin Chimba
Minister of Land and Works	Solomon Kalulu
Minister of Local Government	Nalumino Mundia
Minister of Natural Resources	Munukayumbwa Sipalo
Minister of Transport and Communications	Reuben Kamanga

See also

• List of members of the National Assembly of Zambia (1964–68)

References

1. Zambia: 1964 Elections EISA
2. Elections in Zambia African Elections Database
3. Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p949 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
4. ""Dismiss Governor" A.N.C. Calls: Fears of Violence in Northern Rhodesia", East Africa and Rhodesia, 9 January 1964, p395
5. "Protest at Election Date: Favouritism for North-East", East Africa and Rhodesia, 9 January 1964, p395
6. "Northern Rhodesian Elections: Independence Wanted in October", East Africa and Rhodesia, 23 January 1964
7. "U.N.I.P. Cabinet Sworn In: "Racial" Seats Must Go: Mr. Kaunda", East Africa and Rhodesia, 30 January 1964, p449
8. "Election Unrest", East Africa and Rhodesia, 2 January 1964, p375