According to the 1970 Constitution legislative power was vested the unicameral Supreme People's Council, which consisted of 111 elected members.

It defined the role of the YSP as follows: "The Yemeni Socialist Party, armed with the theory of scientific socialism, is the leader and guide of the society and of the State.

It shall define the general horizon for development of the society and the line of the State's domestic and foreign policy.

[2] Candidates stood for constituencies with which they had no particular personal connection; this measure was designed to prevent the re-emergence of 'tribalist' or regionalist tendencies in government.

[4] In Democratic Yemen, the SPC enacted laws, approved treaties, discussed economic plans.