[1] The result was a victory for incumbent Franjo Tuđman of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), who received 58% of the vote, becoming the first popularly elected president of Croatia.

Having previously been selected as president by Parliament, he was sworn in for his first constitutional five-year term as president on 12 August 1992 at Saint Mark's square in Zagreb.

The elections were criticised by international observers, who noted several problems, including issues with opposition access to state media, the timing of the election and the impartiality of officials.

[3] The timing was deemed to be favourable to the HDZ government, who had delayed approving electoral laws in violation of the country's new constitution.

[3] The elections were also scheduled for a holiday, when a significant number of people would be away from their home towns and unable to vote.