Zimbabwe IV Minister, won only three. The electoral campaign had focused less on the largely similar platforms than on the personalities of the party leaders. Mr. Mugabe's victory was generally attributed to the fact that he appeared to be the most able to bring peace to the country after years of internal warfare. The polling results were challenged by several parties, which believed they were the outcome of intimidation tactics. This feeling was not shared by the various international observers. In their interim report, the Commonwealth observers stated that the 27-29 February election "can be considered to have been free and fair to the extent that it provided an adequate and acceptable means of determining the wishes of the people in a democratic manner. This view is fortified by the high turn-out and the orderly and manifestly relaxed manner in which such a large percentage of voters went to the polls." The British-appointed Governor immediately asked Mr. Mugabe to form a Government. It included Mr. Nkomo and several other members of the Patriotic Front and, as a result, assured itself the support, under normal circumstances, of at least 77 Assembly members. Zimbabwe became an independent State on 18 April 1980. The newlyelected Parliament met for the first time on 14 May 1980. Statistics 1. Results of the Elections and Distribution of Seats in the House of Assembly A. White Roll Election (14 February 1980) Number of registered electors 29,544 Voters 16,498(55.84%)* Blank or void ballot papers 96 Valid votes 16,402 * Only six seats were contested, the 14 others being filled without opposition. B. Common Roll Election (27-29 February 1980) Number of registered electors Voters Blank or void ballot papers Valid votes 144 2,883,000 2,702,275(93.73%) 52,746 2,649,529