[3] The elections were the first held since 1966, with several military coups taking place during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

[3] Although Juan Pereda of the Nationalist Union of the People won the presidential elections according to official statements, more votes were cast than there were registered voters.

[4] After examining a number of allegations of fraud and other irregularities, the National Electoral Court decided to annul the results on 19 July.

Pereda himself was overthrown by yet another military coup in November, which saw General David Padilla assume the presidency.

Several alliances were formed for the elections:[8] Juan Pereda was supported in his presidential bid by both the Nationalist Union of the People and the Nationalist Revolutionary Movement of the People, whilst René Bernal Escalante was the candidate of both the PDC–PRB alliance and the Eastern Rural Party.