ZIMBABWE
Dates of Elections: 14 February 1980 \ ...
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27-29 February 1980 /MHouse of Assembly)
19 March 1980
(Senate)
Purpose of Elections
Elections were held for the first Parliament of Zimbabwe, enabling effect to be
given to the proposals for a new Constitution, and the proposals for the implementation
of that Constitution, which were tabled at the 1979 Constitutional Conference at
Lancaster House, London.
Characteristics of Parliament
The Parliament of Zimbabwe is bicameral, consisting of a 40-member Senate and
a 100-member House of Assembly. The maximum term of both Houses is 5 years as
from the date on which Parliament first meets after a general election. This period may
be extended if Zimbabwe is at war or if a state of public emergency exists.
Electoral System
The electoral system — such as defined in the Constitution and Electoral Act of
1979 but which was simplified for this first poll (see the transitory provisions below) —
is the following:
Any citizen who is at least 18 years of age, resident in an electoral constituency, not
disqualified due to absence from that constituency for a period of 12 months and
registered on the Common Roll or the White Roll, is entitled to vote. Disqualified are
the insane and mentally deficient; persons incapable of managing their own affairs;
those convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment (or the subject
of preventive detention) for at least six months, during the imprisonment and for five years
after discharge therefrom; and persons convicted of an electoral offence, for the period
during which they are declared to be disqualified.
There are 80 Common Roll constituencies and 20 White Roll constituencies. A
Black person may not be registered as a voter on the White Roll. A White person
may be registered on the White Roll and the Common Roll.
Persons having good reason to believe that they will not be in their constituency
on polling day or that they will be prevented from attending a polling station on
account of ill-health, infirmity or duty as a member of a disciplined force, may vote by
post.
Chron. XIV (1979-80)