At the time, the country was a one-party state with the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) as the sole legal party.

A single, official list of PAIGC candidates was presented to voters, although in some areas people voted for unofficial candidates, who achieved almost 20% of the national vote.

[1] The Assembly elected Luís Cabral to the post of President on 13 March 1977.

[1] At least 50% of registered voters had to cast ballot in an electoral district for the election to be valid.

[1] Anyone over the age of 15 and with Guinea-Bissau citizenship was entitled to vote, unless they had been disqualified.