The New Constitution

• In 1984, a new constitution came into force. It set up a parliament with three chambers, one for whites (176 members), one for coloureds (85 members) and one for Asians (45 members).
• Black Africans were not represented and had no votes.
• Whites had large majorities in the Electoral College, which chose the State President, and on the President's council- this was the body that settled disputes between the 3 chambers and decided which combination of them could consider any piece of legislation.