British observers including a journalist termed the elections a "tragedy for democracy" and a "cynically frustrated exercise".

[3] In 1982 a coup d'état led by Army Chief Hussain Muhammad Ershad overthrew democratically elected President Abdus Sattar, suspended the Constitution and imposed martial law.

Amid increasing opposition from the general public, Ershad aimed to legitimise his regime by holding a referendum in March 1985.

[5] The official result of the referendum was overwhelmingly in support of his regime; however, there were allegations of large-scale vote rigging.

Ershad declared a state of emergency in November, dissolved parliament in December, and scheduled new parliamentary elections for March 1988.