[1] In July 1976 Parliament had forced President Hammer DeRoburt – head of state since independence in 1968 – to resign after refusing to pass financial bills.
Its members were younger MPs who had been concerned about the country's economic policy and saw DeRoburt's government of making decisions without proper discussion.
[2] Following the election, Nauru Party MPs met with DeRoburt and promised that Dowiyogo would resign and allow him to run unopposed if he reconsidered making changes to his cabinet.
[2] On 24 December DeRoburt called a special session of parliament to propose a motion that the new government had been formed outside the constitution, which did not provide for party politics.
[4] In the subsequent by-election in Buada on 5 March 1977, Totouwa Depaune was elected to parliament, defeating Alec Hindmarsh Stephen.