As with all elections during the New Order regime, the government-backed Golkar organization won an absolute majority.

Following the 1978 reelection of President Suharto by the People's Consultative Assembly a year after the victory of the government political vehicle Golkar in the legislative election, the government started to make preparations for the next five-yearly vote by submitting a revised election law to the legislature.

The government's proposed law included a provision banning party symbols that "might generate conflict affecting the unity and integrity of the nation".

[1][2] The official election campaign lasted from 15 March to 27 April, followed by a "quiet week" before polling day on 4 May.

The government also pressured civil servants not only to vote Golkar, but also to persuade family members and friends to do so, while the army provided support for Golkar in the form of its campaign to enter villages to ensure people in rural areas gave their support.

On 10 March, Suharto was thus re-elected president unanimously to a fourth term at the 1982 MPR General Session.