The constitutional amendments were aimed at turning the country into a presidential one-party state, with the All People's Congress as the sole legal party.

With more than 97% of voters voting in favour according to official results, the referendum has been described as "heavily rigged".

[1] APC leader and President Siaka Stevens had pushed for the adoption of one-party rule, contending that it was more "African" than Western-style democracy.

In the next presidential elections in 1985, voters had the choice of supporting or opposing his successor, Joseph Saidu Momoh, with no opposition candidates allowed.

The 15 Sierra Leone People's Party MPs elected in 1977 joined the APC.