Parliamentary elections were held in Zimbabwe in June and July 1985. The result was a victory for the ruling ZANU–PF party led by Robert Mugabe, which increased its majority in parliament.

Quick Facts All 100 seats in the House of Assembly, First party ...

1985 Zimbabwean parliamentary election

← 1980 1–2 July 1985 (common roll) 27 June 1985 (white roll) 1990 →
All 100 seats in the House of Assembly
First party Second party Third party   Leader Robert Mugabe Joshua Nkomo Ian Smith Party ZANU–PF ZAPU CAZ Last election 57 20 20 Seats won 64 15 15 Seat change 7 5 5 Popular vote 2,233,320 556,996 18,704[lower-alpha 1] Percentage 77.2% 19.3% 55.4%[lower-alpha 1]
Prime Minister before election Robert Mugabe ZANU–PF Prime Minister-designate Robert Mugabe ZANU–PF

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The House of Assembly consisted of 100 seats, 20 of which were reserved for white voters, and the remaining 80 were elected on a 'common roll' consisting of all adult citizens except those on the white roll. Since Zimbabwean independence in 1980, an electoral roll for the common roll seats had been compiled. Single-member constituencies were drawn up for the common roll seats instead of election by lists in regions used in the 1980 elections. The common roll seats were elected on 1–2 July.

The white roll seats had been drawn up in 1978 but the large exodus of white Zimbabweans (especially from rural areas) had led to a wide disparity in electorate sizes. The Delimitation Commission therefore redrew the map and renamed many of the seats to match changes in place names. Another change to the system was that preferential voting was reinstituted for the white roll seats, so that a candidate had to win more than half of the votes (after transfers) to be elected. The white roll seats were elected on 27 June.

There was violence and Ndebele–Shona ethnic animosities during the elections.^[1]

In the delayed poll in Kariba constituency, two candidates were nominated: Kenneth Madzvanya Mano (PF-ZAPU) and Enos Mzombi Nkala (ZANU (PF)). Nkala subsequently withdrew, although a poll was required (it took place on 5–7 July) and Mano was declared elected.

Charles Duke (CAZ, Highlands) joined ZANU (PF) in June 1986.

Ian Smith (CAZ, Bulawayo Central) was suspended from the Assembly for one year on 2 April 1987 over statements he had made in South Africa which were critical of the Mugabe government.

Three members elected from the white roll constituencies joined ZANU (PF) on 28 July 1987. They were John Landau (IZG, Avondale), Jock Kay (IZG, Makoni), and Tony Read (Ind, Borrowdale).

In September 1987, having achieved the support of 75% of the House of Assembly as required under the Lancaster House Agreement, the constitution was amended to abolish the white roll constituencies. Twenty further members (including many of the former white MPs who were supportive of ZANU (PF)) were co-opted onto the House of Assembly to replace them.