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General Election
First Republic
1964 Pre-Independence General Election
The final Legislative Council election before independence was held under the Self-governing Constitution. UNIP won 55 of the 65 main-roll seats, ANC won the remaining 10 main-roll seats, and NPP won the 10 reserved-roll seats. Kenneth Kaunda became Zambia’s first President when independence was attained on 24 October 1964.
Archived
: Election status from the public election record.
Unverified
: This record has not yet been verified.
Election outcome
How the election was won
Government formed by
Kenneth Kaunda
United National Independence Party (UNIP)
About the figures: Complete official national vote totals have not yet been verified for this record. The page shows only facts supported by the linked official publications.
Key facts at a glance
Main-roll seats
UNIP 55; ANC 10
Reserved-roll seats
NPP 10
Independence
24 October 1964
Historical caution
Leadership followed the constitutional transition; this was not a modern direct presidential election.
What was happening before the election
The election took place while Northern Rhodesia was moving toward independence. The Legislative Council had 75 elected seats: 65 on the main roll and 10 on the reserved roll. UNIP, ANC and NPP were the principal parties described in Parliament’s official handbook.
How the election worked
This was the final election under Northern Rhodesia’s Self-governing Constitution, not a direct modern presidential election. Voters elected the Legislative Council on a main roll and a reserved roll. The outcome determined the government that led the territory into independence.
How the outcome was decided
UNIP won 55 of the 65 main-roll seats. ANC won the remaining 10 main-roll seats, while NPP won the 10 reserved-roll seats. Following the constitutional transition and independence on 24 October 1964, Kenneth Kaunda became the first President of Zambia.
What happened in Parliament
The independence National Assembly consisted of 75 elected members and five nominated members. Its first meeting was held on 14 December 1964.
Why this election mattered
The election established the government that negotiated and completed the transition from Northern Rhodesia to the independent Republic of Zambia. It should not be presented as if Kaunda won a direct presidential ballot under today’s constitutional rules.