1977 South African general election

General elections were held in South Africa on 30 November 1977. The National Party, led by John Vorster won a landslide victory in the House of Assembly. The newly formed Progressive Federal Party, led by Colin Eglin became the official opposition. The New Republic Party, successor to the United Party, won only 10 seats,[1] all but one of them in Natal Province. Once again, the Herstigte Nasionale Party failed to win any seats.

1977 South African general election
30 November 1977 (1977-11-30)
164 of the 165 seats in the House of Assembly
83 seats needed for a majority
Turnout48.52% (Decrease 3.35pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
John Vorster.jpg
Colin Eglin.jpg
NRP
Leader B. J. Vorster Colin Eglin Radclyffe Cadman
Party National PFP New Republic
Leader since 1966 1971 1977
Leader's seat Nigel Sea Point Zululand (lost)
Last election 122 6 –
Seats won 134 17 10
Seat change Increase12 Increase11 New
Popular vote 685,035 177,705 127,335
Percentage 65.34% 16.95% 12.15%
Swing Increase9.20pp Increase10.58pp New
Prime Minister before election

B. J. Vorster
National

 Elected Prime Minister

B. J. Vorster
National

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In the 1977 elections, the National Party received its best-ever result with support of 65% of the vote and (after a by-election) 135 seats in parliament out of 165. Vorster, however resigned as Prime Minister for alleged health reasons on 28 September 1978.

Background

On 11 February 1975 four liberal MPs led by Harry Schwarz broke away from the United Party and created the Reform Party. The party merged with the Progressive Party on 25 July 1975 to form the Progressive Reform Party. In 1977 another group of United Party members left the party to form the Committee for a United Opposition, which then joined the Progressive Reform Party to form the Progressive Federal Party. This proved to realign the opposition in Parliament, as the PFP became the official opposition party.

Results

Due to the death of the National Party candidate in the Springs constituency, one seat was left vacant until a by-election was held, which was won by the NP.[2]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
National Party685,03565.34134+12
Progressive Federal Party177,70516.9517+11
New Republic Party127,33512.1510New
Herstigte Nasionale Party34,1593.2600
South African Party17,9151.713New
Other parties and independents6,2710.6000
Vacant1–
Total1,048,420100.00165–6
Valid votes1,048,42098.50
Invalid/blank votes15,9301.50
Total votes1,064,350100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,193,63548.52
Source: Official Yearbook[2]

References
  1. Alexander, Douglas (31 July 1979). "South Africa Opposition Leader falls". The Age. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  2. South Africa: Official Yearbook of the Republic of South Africa, 1985, pp. 180–182
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