HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — The name of Zimbabwe’s last white leader, who ceded power to Robert Mugabe 33 years ago and who died six years ago, has at last been removed from the nation’s list of 5.7 million registered voters.

The state Electoral Commission says Ian Smith, the former prime minister, is among 345,000 dead people who have been struck from the official roll of voters ahead of crucial elections later in the year. As Zimbabwe celebrates its 33rd anniversary of independence on Thursday there is fresh focus on the poll, and a sense of optimism.