 To allow the two to work together, their fellow officers had agreed to have a military body controlled by Kỳ shape policy behind the scenes.Leadership tensions became evident, and Thiệu prevailed, sidelining Kỳ supporters from key military and cabinet posts.Thiệu then passed legislation to restrict candidacy eligibility for the 1971 election, banning almost all would-be opponents, while the rest withdrew as it was obvious that the poll would be a sham; Thiệu won more than 90 percent of the vote and the election was uncontested, while Kỳ retired from politics.