Indirect parliamentary elections were held in Guinea-Bissau between 19 December 1976 and mid-January 1977 (voting had been due to end on 29 December, but was extended), the first since independence from Portugal. At the time, the country was a one-party state with the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) as the sole legal party. A single, official list of PAIGC candidates was presented to voters, although in some areas people voted for unofficial candidates, who achieved almost 20% of the national vote.[1] The Assembly elected Luís Cabral to the post of President on 13 March 1977.[2]
The indirect election saw voters elect members of eight regional councils, who in turn elected the 150 members of the National People's Assembly.[1] At least 50% of registered voters had to cast ballot in an electoral district for the election to be valid.[1] Anyone over the age of 15 and with Guinea-Bissau citizenship was entitled to vote, unless they had been disqualified.[1]
