Legislative_Council Northern_Rhodesia

1 legislative council

1.1 pre-war
1.2 post-war
1.3 1959 order-in-council

legislative council
pre-war

when northern rhodesia became protectorate under british empire on 1 april 1924, legislative council established on governor of northern rhodesia sat ex officio presiding officer. initial council consisted entirely of nominated members, no procedure existed @ time holding elections. however, members divided between official members held executive posts in administration of protectorate, , unofficial members held no posts.

in 1926, system of election worked out , first election held 5 elected unofficial members, took seats 9 nominated official members. elector in northern rhodesia had united kingdom citizen, requirement practically ruled out africans british protected persons. in addition, would-be electors required fill in application form in english, , have annual income of @ least £200 or occupy immovable property worth £250 (tribal or community occupation of such property excluded).

in 1929, number of unofficial members increased seven. failed meet settler aspirations , in 1937 members demanded parity if numbers 9 official members, , seats on executive council, until wholly composed of officials: demand rejected. in 1938, there first acknowledgement of need represent opinions of africans, , 1 nominated unofficial european member added purpose, replacing 1 of nominated officials, official , unofficial members each numbered eight. in 1941 1 additional member added both nominated officials , elected unofficials, total of ten unofficials (nine elected) , 9 nominated officials.

post-war

in 1945, there increase in number of unofficial european members representing africans 1 three, , additional 2 nominated unofficials introduced total of five. 1948, african representative council recommended 2 african unofficial members nomination governor. 1948 saw replacement of governor speaker, sat ex officio, , introduction of 2 members nominated on advice of african representative council.

an order-in-council coming effect on 31 december 1953 provided new legislative council consist of speaker ex officio, 8 nominated officials, twelve elected unofficials, 4 african unofficial members nominated governor on advice african representative council, , 2 nominated unofficial european members representing interests of africans. nominated officials identified chief secretary, attorney general, financial secretary, , secretary native affairs, , 4 others.

1959 order-in-council

1959 saw large increase in proportion of elected members. legislative council consisted of speaker , 30 members. 8 of these members elected: 8 nominated same 4 named posts before, 2 others, , 2 nominated unofficial members (who not responsible african interests). these 2 members retained provide there members called upon ministerial duties if there few elected members willing so.

the 22 elected members organised in such way ensure there 8 african , 14 europeans. electoral roll divided general , special special voters having lower financial requirements general voters, majority of special voters africans (the nationality requirement had been varied british protected persons eligible vote). in towns in majority of europeans lived, there twelve constituencies; special voters have no more 1 third of influence on total.

in rural areas africans lived, 6 special constituencies drawn. both general , special voters participated in elections , votes counted equal weight, although majority of voters africans. in special constituency areas, there 2 composite reserved european seats , in special voters restricted 1 third of influence. there 2 reserved african seats in areas of ordinary constituencies, although votes counted in full.