1970 Democratic Republic of the Congo presidential election

Following the promulgation of a new constitution after a referendum 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 secessionist leader Moise Tshombe, which took 122 of the 177 seats. However, President Joseph Kasa-Vubu later dismissed Tshombe and appointed Évariste Kimba Prime Minister instead. In a vote in parliament on 14 November, Kimba failed to have his government approved.[2] 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 . In June 1967 a new constitution was drawn up, establishing a unitary state with a strong executive presidential system and unicameral parliament. It also limited the number of political parties to two, and enfranchised women.[1] It was approved by a referendum in which 97.8% of voters voted for it.[3]

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.[1]

Although the constitution allowed for the existence of a second party, the MPR was the only party allowed to nominate candidates. As a result, Mobutu ran unopposed, with voters having the choice of casting a green ballot paper for a "yes" vote, or a red paper for a "no" vote.[1] Voting was not secret, and there was public pressure to endorse Mobutu's candidacy; a "yes" vote was deemed a vote for hope, while a "no" vote was deemed a vote for chaos.[4]

The published results showed only 157 'no' votes, with 10,131,669 voting in favour. The total number of votes (10,131,826) was almost 30,500 more than the number of registered voters (10,101,330).[5]

Mobutu swearing in again as president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following his reelection

Parliamentary elections were held on 15 November in a similar fashion; the MPR was the only party allowed to nominate candidates, and official results showed the MPR list was approved by over 99% of the voters.[1] Soon afterwards, the MPR was formally declared to be the sole legal party, though the country had effectively been a one-party state since the MPR's formation.[6][7]

The country was renamed Zaire the following year, and Mobutu changed his name to Mobutu Sese Seko in 1972. He continued to rule the country as president until being overthrown in 1997.