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General elections were held in
Northern Rhodesia Northern Rhodesia was a British protectorate in Southern Africa, now the independent country of Zambia. It was formed in 1911 by Amalgamation (politics), amalgamating the two earlier protectorates of Barotziland-North-Western Rhodesia and North ...
on 20 and 21 January 1964. There were two voter rolls for the
Legislative Council A legislative council is the legislature, or one of the legislative chambers, of a nation, colony, or subnational division such as a province or state. It was commonly used to label unicameral or upper house legislative bodies in the Brit ...
, 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 won the elections, taking 55 of the common roll seats. Its leader,
Kenneth Kaunda Kenneth 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 Northern Rhodesia, British ...
became
Prime Minister A prime minister 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. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...
, leading the country to independence in October that year, at which point he became President. 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 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."""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. For example, while the political systems ...
leader John Moffat and ex-minister Charles Cousins."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 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 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 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


See also

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


References

{{Zambian elections 1964 in Zambia Parliamentary elections in Zambia
Northern Rhodesia Northern Rhodesia was a British protectorate in Southern Africa, now the independent country of Zambia. It was formed in 1911 by Amalgamation (politics), amalgamating the two earlier protectorates of Barotziland-North-Western Rhodesia and North ...
Northern Rhodesia