1973 Zambian general election

General elections were held in Zambia on 5 December 1973. They were the first elections held since the country was formally declared a one-party state in August, with the United National Independence Party (UNIP) as the only legally permitted party.[1] UNIP leader Kenneth Kaunda was automatically elected to a third five-year term as President, and was confirmed in office via a referendum in which 88.8% of voters approved his candidacy. UNIP also won all 125 seats in the National Assembly. Voter turnout was 39% of the 1,746,107 registered voters for the presidential election,[2] and 33% for the National Assembly election.[3]

1973 Zambian general election
5 December 1973
Turnout39.4%
 
Nominee Kenneth Kaunda
Party UNIP
Popular vote 581,245
Percentage 88.8%
President before election

Kenneth Kaunda
UNIP

 Elected President

Kenneth Kaunda
UNIP

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Prior to the elections, primary elections were held to elect candidates for the 125 constituencies. Only UNIP members could vote in the primaries, and the top three candidates would be able to stand for the National Assembly election.[4] In total, 532 people stood for election to the National Assembly.[4]

Results

President

Kaunda was the sole candidate for president, and voters voted yes or no to his candidacy.

CandidatePartyVotes%
Kenneth KaundaUnited National Independence Party581,24588.83
Against73,11511.17
Total654,360100.00
Valid votes654,36095.02
Invalid/blank votes34,3264.98
Total votes688,686100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,746,10739.44
Source: Nohlen et al.

National Assembly
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
United National Independence Party527,252100.00125+44
Presidential appointees10+5
Appointed Speaker1New
Total527,252100.00136+11
Valid votes527,25290.34
Invalid/blank votes56,3559.66
Total votes583,607100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,746,10733.42
Source: African Elections Database

See also

References
  1. The State of Political Parties In Zambia. National Democratic Institute, 2003
  2. Dieter Nohlen, Michael Krennerich & Bernhard Thibaut (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p953 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
  3. Elections in Zambia African Elections Database
  4. Zambia: 1973 and 1978 one-party elections EISA
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