On April 24, 1974, South Africa held general elections. Prime Minister John Vorster called them one year sooner than planned on February 4th. The number of members in the House of Assembly was increased from 166 to 171. The National Party won the election with a slightly enhanced legislative majority.
However, the Progressive Party made significant progress. Along with Helen Suzman, who was re-elected for Houghton, five other members were elected, including party leader Colin Eglin. A by-election soon after resulted in the election of a seventh member of the caucus. The United Party received 41 seats. In addition, Harry Schwarz, the head of the Transvaal United Party, was elected to Parliament. Schwartz would eventually lead a breakaway from the United Party and become one of Apartheid’s most vocal opponents in Parliament, first creating the Reform Party and then joining forces with the Progressive Party to form the Progressive Reform Party in 1975, led by Colin Eglin.
Nominations were accepted through March 18th. A total of 334 candidates were nominated for 171 seats: 137 for the National Party, 110 for the United Party, 46 for the Herstigte Nasionale Party, 23 for the Progressive Party, 7 for the Democratic Party, and 11 for others.
Results
In the House of Assembly, 125 of the 171 seats were up for grabs. Voting did not take place in two constituencies, Pinelands and Wonderboom, which were eventually won by the Progressive Party and the National Party, respectively.
