1979 Rhodesian constitutional referendum

1979 Rhodesian constitutional referendum

30 January 1979
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 57,269 85.38% No 9,805 14.62% Valid votes 67,074 98.87% Invalid or blank votes 764 1.13% Total votes 67,838 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 94,900 71.48%

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%.

Despite the transition to majority rule following elections in April, 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
Total		67,074	100.00
Valid votes		67,074	98.87
Invalid/blank votes		764	1.13
Total votes		67,838	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		94,900	71.48
Source: African Elections Database

Aftermath

Rhodesian Action Party president Ina Bursey denounced the "yes" vote in the referendum, declaring "The Rhodesian people have sold their souls to the devil and deserve to reap the fruits of the whirlwind." She announced that the party would be dissolved and that she would be emigrating from Rhodesia.

See also

• 1992 South African apartheid referendum