Though the Awami League was already the clear favourite before the elections, the government led by its leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made a major effort to winning every seat.

The pro-Chinese National Awami Party (Bhashani) and Jatiya League concentrated on Indo-Bangladesh relations, leveraging the growing anti-India sentiment in the country.

[7] It was generally believed that the Awami League, with the appeal of Sheikh Mujib and its instrumental role in the independence of Bangladesh, would have easily won the elections without manipulation.

Of the parliament members, 32% were lawyers, 20% were in business, 13% were agriculturalists, 12% were social workers and trade unionists, 9% were doctors, 6% were teachers, 6% were journalists, 1% were engineers, and 1% were students.

[4] The popularity of Mujib, which played a crucial role in the Awami League's victory, led to a significant centralization of power within his inner circle, consisting of close relatives and companions.

[9] The overwhelming victory of the Awami League was further overshadowed by the implementation of repressive special powers and activities of the Rakkhi Bahini, a group of government-armed vigilantes with judicial immunity.

Several prominent opposition leaders, including Siraj Sikder (the founder of the Proletarian Party of East Bengal) and Mosharraf Hossain (the founding vice-president of the JSD), were assassinated.