Northern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia was a British protectorate in southern Africa, south central Africa, now the independent country of Zambia. It was formed in 1911 by Amalgamation (politics), amalgamating the two earlier protectorates of Barotziland-North-West ...
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. The
United National Independence Party
The United National Independence Party (UNIP) is a political party in Zambia. It governed the country from 1964 to 1991 under the socialist presidency of Kenneth Kaunda, and was the sole legal party in the country between 1973 and 1990. On 4 A ...
won the elections, taking 55 of the common roll seats. Its leader,
Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth David Kaunda (28 April 1924 – 17 June 2021), also known as KK, was a Zambian politician who served as the first President of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. He was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule. Dissat ...
became
Prime Minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
, leading the country to independence in October that year, at which point he became
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
*President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
. Voter turnout was 94.8% for the main roll and 74.1% for the reserved roll.
Background
The Northern Rhodesian African National Congress (NRANC) sought to delay the elections, claiming that twelve of its candidates had been prevented from registering, and its request for the nomination process to be extended was granted. NRANC leader
Harry Nkumbula
Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula (15 January 1916 – 8 October 1983)""Dismiss Governor" A.N.C. Calls: Fears of Violence in Northern Rhodesia", ''East Africa and Rhodesia'', 9 January 1964, p395 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."Protest at Election Date: Favouritism for North-East", ''East Africa and Rhodesia'', 9 January 1964, p395
Campaign
UNIP contested all 10 reserved roll seats, putting up candidates including former
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left.
__TOC__ Active liberal parties
This is a li ...
Charles Cousins
Charles Peter Cousins (born 13 December 1988) is a British rower who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Rowing career
Cousins competed in the quadruple sculls at the 2012 Summer Olympics with Stephen Rowbotham, Tom Solesbury and Matthe ...
."Northern Rhodesian Elections: Independence Wanted in October", ''East Africa and Rhodesia'', 23 January 1964
UNIP won 24 of the 75 common roll seats unopposed, whilst the NRANC also had five members returned unopposed, although all of them defected to UNIP.
Conduct
Seven people were killed in the
Chinsali
Chinsali is a town in Zambia, which is both the district headquarters of Chinsali District and provincial headquarters of Muchinga Province.
Location
It lies just off the road between Mpika and Isoka (Tanzam Highway; Zambia's Great North Roa ...
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."Election Unrest", ''East Africa and Rhodesia'', 2 January 1964, p375
The election campaign also saw clashes between NRANC and UNIP supporters, with two UNIP members killed. Fighting between the two in
Mufulira
Mufulira, is a town in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. Mufulira means "Place of Abundance and Peace". The town developed around the Mufulira Copper Mine in the 1930s. The town also serves as the administrative capital of Mufulira District.
...
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.
Results
Aftermath
A new UNIP-led government was sworn in shortly before the end of January. Governor
Evelyn Dennison Hone
Sir Evelyn Dennison Hone (13 December 1911 – 18 September 1979) was the last Governor of Northern Rhodesia, from 1959 until it gained its independence as Zambia in 1964.
Early life
Hone was born into the Hone family in Salisbury, Southern Rh ...
retained responsibility for foreign affairs, defence and policing."U.N.I.P. Cabinet Sworn In: "Racial" Seats Must Go: Mr. Kaunda", ''East Africa and Rhodesia'', 30 January 1964, p449
Northern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia was a British protectorate in southern Africa, south central Africa, now the independent country of Zambia. It was formed in 1911 by Amalgamation (politics), amalgamating the two earlier protectorates of Barotziland-North-West ...