[1][2][3] President Suharto had long wanted the political parties to be "simplified," and in 1972, he said that this simplification would be complete if there were only three ballot symbols in the next election, a sentiment echoed by Suharto's personal assistant and head of the Special Operations (Opsus) unit Ali Murtopo, who said the 1976 election (as it was then scheduled) would only be contested by three "flags," namely those of the two parties and one functional group.

[4][5] In its 1973 session, the People's Consultative Assembly reelected Suharto president for a five-year term and passed a resolution stating that the election would be held at the latest by the end of 1977 and that there would be three participants, the two political parties and the 'functional group' Golkar.

The election was finally scheduled for 1977, the extra year being necessary for the New Order to have enough time to make the necessary changes to laws to ensure its victory.

There was strong opposition to these proposals from both the parties, and this resulted in a compromise on all three, in particular with the PPP being allowed to be based on Islam.

[11] The 100 unelected seats were filled by appointed Golkar representatives, including 75 from ABRI and four from the new province of East Timor, which was "not yet able to hold elections.

Judilherry Justam [id] and Armein Daulay also ran, but because they were considered actions that should not be done, the two students were arrested.