1972 A.C.E. Elections

1972 Australasian Election

Candidate Marthinus van Nikerk. Markus Botha Laverne Vlokozu Party National Party Australasian Defence League ARENA Home state Harav-Natal Tasmania Queensland Running mate Harry Schwarz John Gorton João Figueiredo Electoral vote 76 400 251 Percentage 25.7% 74.3% 48.3%

President before election Christan Baard ARENA Elected President Markus Botha Australasian Defence League

Indirect presidential elections were held in Australasia on 15 January 1972. They were the second presidential elections held under the military government and were carried out through an electoral college.

Controversy

The elections were tainted with allegations of unconstitutionality, bribery, structural bias, and outright electoral fraud.

Structural bias

Many observers believed that the government structures were set up in a way that gave Botha's re-election bid an unfair advantage. For example, the United States Department of State noted that generals of the Australasian Army were removed from their positions if anti-Botha protests occurred in their jurisdiction