[3] The referendum was held by the Council of the Islamic Revolution, because Bazargan's Interim Government—which oversaw the previous referendum—had resigned in protest to the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis.

[4] A day before the referendum, when the mourning of Ashura was practiced, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini said those who will not vote tomorrow, will help Americans and desecrate Shohada (Martyrs).

[5] Others, including leftists, secular nationalists and Islamist followers of Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari, and the prominent opposition group PMOI (People's Mojahedin Organization) called for a boycott.

The turnout among Sunni minorities in Kurdistan and Sistan and Baluchestan Provinces, as well as Shariatmadari's home Azerbaijan was low and number of votes fell down in comparison to the referendum held in March.

"[10] The Assembly of Experts continued its deliberations until 15 November 1979, and ultimately, the new Islamic constitution received approval from at least two-thirds of the representatives.