Rhodesian constitutional referendum, 1979

Rhodesia

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A constitutional referendum was held in Rhodesia on 30 January 1979. It followed the Internal Settlement drawn up between Prime Minister Ian Smith and Abel Muzorewa, leader of the non-violent UANC. The new constitution would bring in black majority rule in the country, which would be renamed Zimbabwe Rhodesia. The settlement was supported by the ruling Rhodesian Front, but opposed by the Rhodesian Action Party, which had broken away from the Front.

The referendum was open only to white voters, passing by 85%. Voter turnout was 71.5%.^[1]

Despite the transition to majority rule following elections in March, the country remained unrecognised by the international community, and the Patriotic Front parties continued the Bush War until the signing of the Lancaster House Agreement and fresh elections in 1980.

Results

Choice	Votes	%
For	57,269	85.38
Against	9,805	14.62
Invalid/blank votes	764	–
Total	67,838	100
Registered voters/turnout	94,900	71.48
Source: African Elections Database

References

↑ 30 January 1979 Constitutional Referendum African Elections Database

Elections and referendums in Zimbabwe and its antecedents

Presidential elections	1990 1996 2002 2008 2013 2018

Parliamentary elections	1899 1902 1905 1908 1911 1914 1920 1924 1928 1933 1934 1939 1946 1948 1954 1958 1962 1965 1970 1974 1977 1979 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2008 2013 2018

Senate elections	2005 2008 2013 2018

Referendums	1922 1934 1953 1961 1964 1969 1979 2000 2013

See also: Elections in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

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