1977 Rhodesian general election

1977 Rhodesian general election

← 1974 31 August 1977 1979 →
All 66 seats in the House of Assembly 34 seats needed for a majority
First party   Leader Ian Smith Party RF Leader's seat Umzingwane Last election 50 Seats won 50 Seat change Popular vote 57,348 Percentage 85.36% (European) Swing 7.38pp
Composition of the House of Assembly after the election
Prime Minister before election Ian Smith RF Elected Prime Minister Ian Smith RF

Politics of Rhodesia
Political history — Overview 1890–1923  BSA Company rule 1923–1980  Southern Rhodesia 1953–1963  Rhodesia–Nyasaland Federation 1965–1979  Rhodesia under UDI  1979  Zimbabwe Rhodesia (under UDI)
Government Governor / Queen / President Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister Cabinet
Legislature 1899–1923  Legislative Council 1924–1970  Legislative Assembly 1970–1979  Parliament Leader of the Opposition
Elections General 1924 1928 1933 1934 1939 1946 1948 1954 1958 1962 1965 1970 1974 1977 1979 1980 Legislative Council 1899 1902 1905 1908 1911 1914 1920 Referendums 1922 1934 1953 1961 1964 1969 1979
Political parties African National Congress Communist Party Labour Party Liberal Party Rhodesia Party Rhodesian Action Party Rhodesian Front United African National Council United Federal Party Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU)
Foreign relations Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) Ministry of External Affairs Mission in Lisbon Centre in Sydney Passport
National symbols Flag (other flags) Anthem
Other countries
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General elections were held in Rhodesia on 31 August 1977,^[1][2][3] the last general election in the country dominated by the white minority. Prime Minister Ian Smith, who was conducting negotiations with moderate African nationalists, was forced into an early election by the defection of twelve MPs from his Rhodesian Front party, which denied him the two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly needed to change the constitution. In the event, the Front overwhelmed the breakaway Rhodesian Action Party and all other forces, once again winning every single seat in the 50 seats elected by those of European descent.

The electorate of Rhodesia returned 66 members of the House of Assembly of Rhodesia, in three different classes of seat:

• European roll seats: 50 members were returned from single-member constituencies by voters who were either of European, Asian or mixed (Coloured) descent.
• African roll seats: 8 members were returned from single-member constituencies by voters of African descent.
• Tribal seats: 8 seats were returned by Tribal electoral colleges made up of the Chiefs of the Tribes.

Both European and African rolls had a range of property qualifications. No change to boundaries or the qualification of voters was made compared to the 1974 election.

• 
  Rural constituencies.
• 
  Constituencies in Salisbury.
• 
  Constituencies in Bulawayo.
• 
  African roll constituencies.

• HIGHVELD: †Bartholomew Augustine Mabika
• KARIBA: †Peter Mhletshwa Nkomo
• LOWVELD: Simeon Chengeta
• MANICA: †Naboth Absalom Gandanzara
• PAGATI: †Fani Mlingo
• PIONEER: Benjamin Panga Mbuisa
• TULI: †Zephaniah Maybin Bafanah Dube
• ZAMBEZI: Mawire Patrick Bwanya

Fani Mlingo died on 15 February 1978. On 31 March 1978, Joseph Jumo Bheka was returned unopposed to replace him. Bheka was a supporter of Bishop Abel Muzorewa.

Simeon Chengeta died on 19 March 1978. On 19 July 1978, a by-election was held in Lowveld. John Adonia Hungwe defeated Simon Dzichaperanhamo Bhene.

A by-election was held in the Highlands North constituency on 21 July 1978 to replace Fergus Blackie, who had been appointed as a Judge and resigned on 15 May 1978. This by-election occurred after the internal settlement agreement, and the Rhodesian Front candidate was therefore opposed not only by the National Unifying Force (pressing for a full settlement with African nationalists) but by two right-wing candidates opposed to any deals: the Rhodesian Action Party and the Rhodesian Conservative Alliance.

Roger Hawkins resigned from the Assembly due to ill health on 30 November 1978, leading to a by-election in Gwelo on 30 January 1979.

George Rollo Hayman resigned on 27 December 1978, claiming that the power-sharing government could easily fall under the control of a terrorist group. He then resigned from the Assembly to seek re-election. This by-election, held on 6 February 1979, was the last election conducted before the advent of the new constitution.

Donald Goldin (Wankie) died on 12 February 1979. The seat was not filled before Parliament was dissolved.