[3] In 1982 a coup d'état led by Army Chief Hussain Muhammad Ershad overthrew democratically elected President Abdus Sattar.

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

[6] Ershad resigned as Chief of Army Staff on 30 August 1986 and, with the approval of the new parliament, a presidential election was scheduled for 15 October 1986.

[3] The New York Times reported that voter turnout was much lower than the government claimed and that very few people were able to vote in Dhaka due to an opposition-sponsored strike.

[3] Despite the opposition boycott and reports of widespread irregularities,[3] Ershad claimed victory stating "This is the day that we negotiated the last bridge toward a democratic government.

"[3] In November 1986 Parliament passed the seventh constitutional amendment bill, protecting Ershad and his regime from prosecution for actions taken under the years of military rule.