bᵻfˌoːɹ ðə nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti sˈɛvən dʒˈɛnɚɹəl ᵻlˈɛkʃən ðə jˌuːˌɛnpˈiː hæd sˈɔːt ɐ mˈændeɪt fɹʌmðə pˈiːpəl tʊ ɐdˈɑːpt ɐ nˈuː kˌɑːnstɪtˈuːʃən.
Before the 1977 general election the UNP had sought a mandate from the people to adopt a new constitution.