[1] 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.

Ten days later, army commander Mobutu led a military coup and installed himself as President, banning all political activity for at least five years.

In June 1967 a new constitution was drawn up, establishing a unitary state with a strong executive presidential system and unicameral parliament.

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.