General elections were held in Zambia on 31 October 1991 to elect a President and National Assembly. They were the first multi-party elections since 1968, and only the second multi-party elections since independence in 1964. The United National Independence Party (UNIP), which had led the country since independence (from 1973 to 1990 as the sole legal party), was comprehensively beaten by the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD). Kenneth Kaunda, who had been president since independence, was defeated in a landslide by MMD challenger Frederick Chiluba in the presidential elections, whilst the MMD won 125 of the 150 elected seats in the expanded National Assembly. Voter turnout was 45%.[1]
In 1973, Kaunda had declared UNIP the only legally permitted party in Zambia. From then until 1990, the government and UNIP were effectively one. Every five years, Kaunda was automatically elected to a five-year term as president by virtue of being leader of UNIP. Voters also chose between three UNIP candidates for each of the 125 seats in the National Assembly.
However, by the summer of 1990 discontent had built to a fever pitch. In July, following three days of riots in Lusaka, Kaunda announced a referendum on the single-party system would be held in October. This was not enough to prevent disgruntled army officer Mwamba Luchembe from launching a coup attempt within a few hours of the announcement. However, it was broken after about three to four hours.[2] After the coup attempt, the opposition contended that the original date for the referendum did not allow enough time to register voters. In response, Kaunda delayed the referendum until August 1991.[3]
Kaunda had vehemently opposed a multiparty system, claiming it would cause violence and inflame tribal divisions. However, in response to demands from the opposition, he cancelled the referendum in September and instead gave his support to constitutional amendments that would end UNIP's monopoly on power. He also announced that the general elections scheduled for 1993 would be brought forward to 1991.[4] Kaunda signed the necessary amendments into law in December. Soon afterward, the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy, a pressure group created earlier in the year under the leadership of Zambia Congress of Trade Unions chairman Chiluba, registered as a political party.[5]
^Zambia: 1991 National Assembly national election results EISA
^Failed Zambia Coup Weakens Leader New York Times, 1 July 1990
^Zambia's Leader Announces Plan to Free 1,000 Prisoners New York Times, 26 July 1990
^Zambia Leader Assents To Multiparty Vote New York Times, 25 September 1990
^After 17 Years, Zambia Allows Opposition New York Times, 18 December 1990
January 01, 1970
1991, zambian, general, election, general, elections, were, held, zambia, october, 1991, elect, president, national, assembly, they, were, first, multi, party, elections, since, 1968, only, second, multi, party, elections, since, independence, 1964, united, na. General elections were held in Zambia on 31 October 1991 to elect a President and National Assembly They were the first multi party elections since 1968 and only the second multi party elections since independence in 1964 The United National Independence Party UNIP which had led the country since independence from 1973 to 1990 as the sole legal party was comprehensively beaten by the Movement for Multi Party Democracy MMD Kenneth Kaunda who had been president since independence was defeated in a landslide by MMD challenger Frederick Chiluba in the presidential elections whilst the MMD won 125 of the 150 elected seats in the expanded National Assembly Voter turnout was 45 1 1991 Zambian general election 1988 31 October 1991 1996 Turnout45 27 Nominee Frederick Chiluba Kenneth Kaunda Party MMD UNIP Popular vote 972 605 311 022 Percentage 75 77 24 23 President before election Kenneth Kaunda UNIP Elected President Frederick Chiluba MMD Contents 1 Background 2 Results 2 1 President 2 2 National Assembly 3 See also 4 ReferencesBackground editIn 1973 Kaunda had declared UNIP the only legally permitted party in Zambia From then until 1990 the government and UNIP were effectively one Every five years Kaunda was automatically elected to a five year term as president by virtue of being leader of UNIP Voters also chose between three UNIP candidates for each of the 125 seats in the National Assembly However by the summer of 1990 discontent had built to a fever pitch In July following three days of riots in Lusaka Kaunda announced a referendum on the single party system would be held in October This was not enough to prevent disgruntled army officer Mwamba Luchembe from launching a coup attempt within a few hours of the announcement However it was broken after about three to four hours 2 After the coup attempt the opposition contended that the original date for the referendum did not allow enough time to register voters In response Kaunda delayed the referendum until August 1991 3 Kaunda had vehemently opposed a multiparty system claiming it would cause violence and inflame tribal divisions However in response to demands from the opposition he cancelled the referendum in September and instead gave his support to constitutional amendments that would end UNIP s monopoly on power He also announced that the general elections scheduled for 1993 would be brought forward to 1991 4 Kaunda signed the necessary amendments into law in December Soon afterward the Movement for Multi Party Democracy a pressure group created earlier in the year under the leadership of Zambia Congress of Trade Unions chairman Chiluba registered as a political party 5 Results editPresident edit CandidatePartyVotes Frederick ChilubaMovement for Multi Party Democracy972 60575 77Kenneth KaundaUnited National Independence Party311 02224 23Total1 283 627100 00Valid votes1 283 62796 87Invalid blank votes41 5313 13Total votes1 325 158100 00Registered voters turnout2 924 50545 31Source ECZ National Assembly edit See also 1991 Zambian general election by constituency PartyVotes Seats Movement for Multi Party Democracy931 94574 01125NewUnited National Independence Party314 71124 9925 100National Democratic Alliance1 6950 130NewNational Democratic Party8030 060NewDemocratic Party1200 010NewIndependents9 8620 780NewPresidential appointees8 2Appointed Speaker10Total1 259 136100 00159 23Valid votes1 259 13696 42Invalid blank votes46 7873 58Total votes1 305 923100 00Registered voters turnout2 875 96045 41Source EISASee also editList of members of the National Assembly of Zambia 1991 96 References edit Zambia 1991 National Assembly national election results EISA Failed Zambia Coup Weakens Leader New York Times 1 July 1990 Zambia s Leader Announces Plan to Free 1 000 Prisoners New York Times 26 July 1990 Zambia Leader Assents To Multiparty Vote New York Times 25 September 1990 After 17 Years Zambia Allows Opposition New York Times 18 December 1990 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1991 Zambian general election amp oldid 1115323119, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
