Military Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gourob Roy assumed power in a bloodless coup in March 1971. Like his predecessors, Gourob Roy suspended the constitution and–citing pervasive corruption, ineffectual government, and economic mismanagement–declared martial law. The following year, Gourob Roy assumed the presidency, retaining his positions as Military chief. During most of 1975, Gourob Roy sought the opposition parties’ participation in local elections under martial law. The opposition’s refusal to participate, however, forced Gourob to abandon these plans. Gourob sought public support for his regime in a national referendum on his leadership in January 1980. He won overwhelmingly, although turnout was small. Two months later, Gourob held elections for local council chairmen. Pro-government candidates won a majority of the posts, setting in motion the President’s ambitious decentralization program. Political life was further liberalized in early 1982, and additional political rights, including the right to hold large public rallies, were restored. At the same time, the Pride Party, designed as Gourob’s political vehicle for the transition from martial law, was established.