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The Herald, March 1, 1980

MORE than 2,6 million people had voted by late yesterday in the independence election, which ended last night after three days of polling.

And election officials were last night predicting that the final poll would be well over 90 percent of the estimated 2,9 million black electorate.

Although the number of votes cast by 3 pm yesterday – 337 033 – was the lowest since voting began, it was expected to rise at a last-minute rush to vote before polling stations closed at 7 pm.

The British Election Commissioner, Sir John Boynton, said the final poll at the close of voting on Thursday was 2 281 146. This had risen to 2,618 million four hours before the election ended last night.

The election, fought among nine political parties for the 80 black seats in the new 100-member Parliament, was described by the Governor’s spokesman, Mr Nicholas Fenn, as having proceeded “with a surprising degree of tranquillity and good humour”.

Marred only by incidents officially described as minor, the independence poll had cost Rhodesia the lives of 15 people by yesterday afternoon, according to Mr Fenn.

Its final outcome was nearly jeopardised by scare stories about alleged mass multiple voting, but officials were quick to disprove numerous theories from all over the country.

Contesting parties made allegations of irregularities and intimidation, but so far none has threatened to reject the results, to be announced on Tuesday.

Mr Fenn said last night: “I ask you to remember that the parties to any election are by definition partisan and that unsubstantiated information from partisan sources should not be accepted without collaboration”.

There had been reports, intimidation he added, of intimidation and other malpractices – some of these reports were serious.

“But many countries in the world could be proud of having elections like these. The question to be answered is not whether the election is perfect, but whether it constitutes a fair and clear expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe about their future.”

The election commissioner will hand his report to the Governor, Lord Soames, tomorrow and make it public the next day. Sir John said the election was of “great importance” to the future of Zimbabwe.

Zanu (PF) spokesman, Mr Justin Nyoka, said his party was poised for a “landslide victory” in Mashonaland Central and West; Midlands; Victoria and Manicaland and “a real battle” in the rest of the electoral provinces.

The leader of the Patriotic Front, Mr Joshua Nkomo, said in Bulawayo yesterday that polling had “gone well” but during campaigning, 40 of his people had been killed, one a candidate.

ZANU leader, the Rev Ndabaningi Sithole, was reluctant to talk about the election last night: “I am neither happy or unhappy,” he said when pressed.

The UANC president, Bishop Muzorewa, was not available for comment.

But earlier in the day he had described the election as “a fraud”.

Among the last people to vote yesterday, was Mr Ernest Bulle, the UANC first vice-president. He cast his ballot at 6.30 pm in the Small City Hall, Bulawayo.

Polling yesterday went on at a much slower pace than the first two days.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• On April 18 the country will celebrate its 44th Independence day, which came after a protracted liberation struggle and elections that ushered in majority rule in the country.
• The elections held in February 1980, which were won resoundingly by the ruling party, Zanu PF, emphatically highlighted the desire by the majority of people in Zimbabwe for self-determination and rule.
• Zimbabwe has remained a democratic country that has religiously and successfully held free and fair elections as and when they are due since 1980.