United National Independence Party

The United National Independence Party is a political party in Zambia. It governed that country from 1964 to 1991 under the presidency of Kenneth Kaunda.

Related Topics:
Political party - Zambia - 1964 - 1991 - Presidency - Kenneth Kaunda

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The party was founded in 1959. The constitution promulgated on August 25 1973. The new constitution and the national elections that followed in December 1973 were the final steps in achieving what was called a "one-party participatory democracy." National policy was formulated by the Central Committee of party that had become the sole legal party in Zambia. The constitution stipulated that the sole candidate in elections for the office of president was the person selected to be the president of UNIP by the party's general conference. The second-ranking person in the Zambian hierarchy was UNIP's secretary general.

Related Topics:
1959 - Constitution - August 25 - 1973 - One-party participatory democracy - Zambia - Elections - President

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Kaunda, the sole candidate, was elected president in the 1973 elections. Elections also were held for the National Assembly. Only UNIP members were permitted to run, but these seats were sharply contested. President Kaunda's mandate was renewed in December 1978 and October 1983 in a "yes" or "no" vote on his candidacy. In the 1983 election, more than 60% of those registered participated and gave President Kaunda a 93% "yes" vote.

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In December 1990, at the end of a tumultuous year that included riots in the capital and a coup attempt, President Kaunda signed legislation ending UNIP's monopoly on power. The changed constitution allowed for more than one presidential candidate who no longer had to be a member of UNIP.

Related Topics:
1990 - Riots - Coup

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It lost power to Frederick Chiluba of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy in 1991.

Related Topics:
Frederick Chiluba - Movement for Multiparty Democracy

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At the last legislative elections, 27 december 2001, the party won 10.4 % of popular votes and out of 159 seats. Its candidate at the presidential elections, Tilyenji Kaunda (son of Kenneth), on the same day won 10.1 %.

Related Topics:
Legislative - Elections - Presidential - Tilyenji Kaunda

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UNIP is currently led by Francis Nkhoma.

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