1979 Rhodesian general election

1979 Rhodesian general election

← 1977 10 April 1979 (white roll)
21 April 1979 (common roll)
1980 →

All 100 seats in the House of Assembly
  First party Second party
 
Leader Abel Muzorewa Ian Smith
Party UANC RF
Leader's seat Mashonaland East Southern
Last election 50
Seats won 51 28
Seat change New Decrease 22

  Third party Fourth party
 
Leader Ndabaningi Sithole Kayisa Ndiweni
Party ZANU–Ndonga UNFP
Leader's seat Manicaland
Last election
Seats won 12 9
Seat change New New

Composition of the House of Assembly after the election

Prime Minister before election

Ian Smith
RF

Prime Minister-designate

Abel Muzorewa
UANC

General elections were held in Rhodesia in April 1979,[1][2][3] the first where the majority black population elected the majority of seats in parliament. The elections were held following the Internal Settlement negotiated by the Rhodesian Front government of Ian Smith and were intended to provide a peaceful transition to majority rule on terms not harmful to White Rhodesians. In accordance with the Internal Settlement, on 1 June, Rhodesia officially became the nation of Zimbabwe Rhodesia, under the government of the United African National Council elected in the 1979 elections. The Internal Settlement was not approved internationally but the incoming government under Bishop Abel Muzorewa did decide to participate in the Lancaster House talks which led to the end of the dispute and the creation of Zimbabwe.

  1. ^ April 1979 House of Assembly Election African Elections Database
  2. ^ John F. Burns (22 April 1979). "RHODESIAN ELECTION EMDS WITH TURNOUT PUT AT 65 PERCENT". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  3. ^ John F. Burns (25 April 1979). "Muzorewa Party Wins in Rhodesia With Bare Majority in Parliament". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 June 2024.