Zambian general election, 1968

General elections were held in Zambia on 19 December 1968 to elect the National Assembly and President. The first post-independence polls saw incumbent Kenneth Kaunda retain his post as president, whilst his United National Independence Party, the only party to field candidates in all 105 constituencies,^[1] won 81 of the 105 seats in the National Assembly. Voter turnout was 82.5% in the parliamentary election,^[2] but 87.1% in the presidential election.^[3]

The only other contestants in the National Assembly elections were the Zambian African National Congress (73 candidates), and three independents.^[1] The United Party, which had been established in 1966, was banned in 1968, with many of its members absorbed by the ZANC.^[4] The election campaign was marred by violence, with UNIP members in Northern and Luapula Provinces blocking ZANC candidates from lodging nomination papers, resulting in 30 UNIP candidates running unopposed.^[4] Nevertheless, the election saw a swing towards the ZANC and four ministers losing their seats.^[1]

Results

President

Party	Votes	%	Seats
Kenneth Kaunda	United National Independence Party	1,079,970	81.8
Harry Nkumbula	Zambian African National Congress	240,017	18.2
Invalid/blank votes		63,490	−
Total		1,383,477	100
Registered voters/turnout		1,587,966	87.1
Source: Nohlen et al.

National Assembly

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
United National Independence Party	657,764	73.2	81	+26
Zambian African National Congress	228,277	25.4	23	+13
Independents	12,619	1.4	1	+1
Presidential appointees	−	−	5	New
Invalid/blank votes	63,490	−	−	−
Total	962,150	100	110	+35
Registered voters/turnout	1,166,637	82.5	−	−
Source: African Elections Database

References

1. Zambia 1968 Inter-Parliamentary Union
2. Elections in Zambia African Elections Database
3. Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p953 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
4. Zambia: 1968 Elections EISA