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 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

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
v t e

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.