Democratic Republic of the Congo presidential election, 1970
Encyclopedia
A presidential election was held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
on 1 November 1970. The only candidate was Joseph Mobutu
, who had taken power in a military coup five years earlier. The election took the format of a "yes" or "no" vote for Mobutu's candidacy, with the results showing he won more "yes" votes than the number of registered voters, even though voting was not compulsory.
in 1964, general elections
were held in the newly renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo in March and April in 1965. The elections were won by the Congolese National Convention
, led by former seccessionist leader Moise Tshombe
, which took 122 of the 177 seats. However, President
Joseph Kasa-Vubu
later dismissed Tshombe and appointed Évariste Kimba
of the Congolese Democratic Front
Prime Minister instead. In a vote in parliament on 14 November, Kimba failed to have his government approved. However, Kasa-Vubu reappointed him as Prime Minister the following day. Ten days later Mobutu led a military coup and installed himself as President, banning political parties.
On 20 May 1967 Mobutu formed the Popular Movement of the Revolution
, with all citizens automatically becoming members of the party. In June 1967 a new constitution was drawn up, establishing a unitary state with a presidential system
and unicameral
parliament. It also limited the number of political parties to two, and enfranchised women. It was approved by a referendum
in which 97.8% of voters voted for it.
Following a census in early 1970, presidential elections were organised for 1 November. The date was set so that Mobutu would have passed his fortieth birthday by the time the elections occurred, as the constitution stated that candidates must be at least forty years old.
were held on 15 November in a similar fashion, with the official candidates being approved by over 99% of the voters. The country was renamed Zaire
the following year, and Mobutu changed his own name to Mobutu Sese Seko
in 1972. He continued to rule the country until being overthrown in 1997.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
on 1 November 1970. The only candidate was Joseph Mobutu
Mobutu Sese Seko
Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga , commonly known as Mobutu or Mobutu Sese Seko , born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, was the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1965 to 1997...
, who had taken power in a military coup five years earlier. The election took the format of a "yes" or "no" vote for Mobutu's candidacy, with the results showing he won more "yes" votes than the number of registered voters, even though voting was not compulsory.
Background
Following the promulgation of a new constitution after a referendumRepublic of the Congo (Léopoldville) constitutional referendum, 1964
A constitutional referendum was held in the Republic of the Congo between 25 June and 10 July 1964. The new constitution, known as the "Constitution de Luluabourg", changed the country's system of government, its name, and the number of provinces...
in 1964, general elections
Democratic Republic of the Congo general election, 1965
General elections were held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 18 March and 30 April 1965, following the promulgation of a new constitution approved by a referendum the previous year...
were held in the newly renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo in March and April in 1965. The elections were won by the Congolese National Convention
Congolese National Convention
The Congolese National Convention , also known as CONACO, was a political alliance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.It consisted of a bloc of forty-nine parties from among the more than 200 parties that were formed primarily for participation in the 1965 general elections...
, led by former seccessionist leader Moise Tshombe
Moise Tshombe
Moïse Kapenda Tshombe was a Congolese politician.- Biography :He was the son of a successful Congolese businessman and was born in Musumba, Congo. He received his education from an American missionary school and later trained as an accountant...
, which took 122 of the 177 seats. However, President
President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo , is Congo's elected Head of State, and the ex officio "Supreme Commander" of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ....
Joseph Kasa-Vubu
Joseph Kasa-Vubu
Joseph Kasa-Vubu was the first President of the Republic of the Congo, today called Democratic Republic of the Congo....
later dismissed Tshombe and appointed Évariste Kimba
Évariste Kimba
Evariste Kimba served briefly as the Republic of the Congo's Prime Minister from October 18 to November 14, 1965. A protégé of President Joseph Kasavubu, he fell foul of Kasavubu's main enemy Joseph Mobutu , who became the chief Congolese strongman in November 1965...
of the Congolese Democratic Front
Congolese Democratic Front
The Congolese Democratic Front was a political party in Moyen-Congo. The party was founded by Emmanuel Dadet, after he left the Congolse Progressive Party. The FDC failed to become a major force in Congolese politics. In 1956, Dadet joined UDDIA....
Prime Minister instead. In a vote in parliament on 14 November, Kimba failed to have his government approved. However, Kasa-Vubu reappointed him as Prime Minister the following day. Ten days later Mobutu led a military coup and installed himself as President, banning political parties.
On 20 May 1967 Mobutu formed the Popular Movement of the Revolution
Popular Movement of the Revolution
The Popular Movement of the Revolution was a Zairian political party established on May 20, 1967 by then-President Joseph-Désiré Mobutu .-Ideology:...
, with all citizens automatically becoming members of the party. In June 1967 a new constitution was drawn up, establishing a unitary state with a presidential system
Presidential system
A presidential system is a system of government where an executive branch exists and presides separately from the legislature, to which it is not responsible and which cannot, in normal circumstances, dismiss it....
and unicameral
Unicameralism
In government, unicameralism is the practice of having one legislative or parliamentary chamber. Thus, a unicameral parliament or unicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of one chamber or house...
parliament. It also limited the number of political parties to two, and enfranchised women. It was approved by a referendum
Democratic Republic of the Congo constitutional referendum, 1967
A constitutional referendum was held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 4 and 16 June 1967. The new constitution created a unitary state with a presidential system, whereby the president would be selected by a unicameral National Assembly and then approved by a referendum...
in which 97.8% of voters voted for it.
Following a census in early 1970, presidential elections were organised for 1 November. The date was set so that Mobutu would have passed his fortieth birthday by the time the elections occurred, as the constitution stated that candidates must be at least forty years old.
Results
With Mobutu as the only candidate, voters had the choice of a green ballot paper representing a "yes" vote, or a red paper, representing a "no" vote. The ballot was not secret. The number of votes (10,131,826) was over 30,000 more than the number of registered voters (10,101,330).| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Mobutu Mobutu Sese Seko Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga , commonly known as Mobutu or Mobutu Sese Seko , born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, was the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1965 to 1997... |
Popular Movement of the Revolution Popular Movement of the Revolution The Popular Movement of the Revolution was a Zairian political party established on May 20, 1967 by then-President Joseph-Désiré Mobutu .-Ideology:... |
10,131,669 | 100 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 157 | ||
| Total | 10,131,826 | 100 | |
| Source: Nohlen et al | |||
Aftermath
Parliamentary electionsDemocratic Republic of the Congo parliamentary election, 1970
Parliamentary elections were held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 15 November 1970. The only legal party was the Popular Movement of the Revolution, with voters being asked to vote "yes" or "no" to the official list of 420 candidates for the National Assembly, who had been chosen from...
were held on 15 November in a similar fashion, with the official candidates being approved by over 99% of the voters. The country was renamed Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
the following year, and Mobutu changed his own name to Mobutu Sese Seko
Mobutu Sese Seko
Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga , commonly known as Mobutu or Mobutu Sese Seko , born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, was the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1965 to 1997...
in 1972. He continued to rule the country until being overthrown in 1997.