[1] In 1980 the Grand National Assembly was scheduled to elect a new President to replace Fahri Korutürk.

However, the parties were unable to agree on a candidate, and on 12 September 1980, the Turkish Armed Forces led by Kenan Evren staged a coup d'état, dissolved the Grand National Assembly and started ruling the country through the National Security Council.

[2] It worked from 23 November 1981 and 17 July 1982 to draw up the new constitution,[3] which would replace the 1961 document.

[5] The constitution also banned civil society organisations from political activity, whilst political parties were banned from working with civil society organisations, including trade unions.

[2] The Army was given a majority in the National Security Council, which was also deemed to be superior to the cabinet.