Prior to the elections six parties backing
Ziaur Rahman – the Bangladesh Labour Party, the
Bangladesh Muslim League, the Bangladesh Scheduled Caste Federation,
Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal, the
National Awami Party (Bhashani) and the
United Peoples' Party – formed the Jatiyatabadi Front (
Nationalist Front) to support his candidacy.
M. A. G. Osmani was also supported by an alliance of six parties under the name Ganatantrik Oikkya Jote (
United Democratic Alliance). The alliance consisted of the
Awami League, the
Communist Party, the
Gano Azadi League, the Jatiya Janata Party, the
National Awami Party (Muzaffar) and the People's League. A group of parties led by
Ataur Rahman boycotted the elections, including the Democratic League, the
Islamic Democratic League, Jatiya Dal, the Jatiya League and the
Krishak Sramik Party. ==Conduct==