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, won 81 of the 105 seats in the National Assembly. Voter turnout was 82.5% in the parliamentary election, but 87.1% in the presidential election.

The only other contestants in the National Assembly elections were the Zambian African National Congress (73 candidates), and three independents. The United Party, which had been established in 1966, was banned in 1968, with many of its members absorbed by the ZANC. 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. Nevertheless, the election saw a swing towards the ZANC and four ministers losing their seats.

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