The invention related to process for the production of paper from an aqueous suspension containing cellulosic fibers, and optional fillers, which comprises adding to the suspension (i) a cationic vinyl addition polymer prepared by polymerizing one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising a cationic monomer; (ii) an anionic polymer having one or more aromatic groups selected from the group consisting of polymers obtained by condensation of formaldehyde with benzene-based and naphthalene-based compounds, polyurethanes, polysaccharides, and lignin-based polymers; wherein (i) and (ii) are separately added to the suspension; and (iii) a low molecular weight cationic organic polymer having a molecular weight in the range of from 2,000 to about 700,000; or an anionic microparticulate material; and forming and draining the obtained suspension on a wire.