Torrijos ran on a platform of strengthening democracy and negotiating a free trade agreement with the US, and was supported by popular musician and politician Rubén Blades;[1] Torrijos later made Blades the nation's tourism minister.

Endara ran as the candidate of the Solidarity Party, on a platform of reducing crime and government corruption.

[3] Endara and the other candidates also ran a series of negative ads highlighting the PRD's connections with former military ruler Manuel Noriega.

Voters also elected his two vice-presidents, who run on party tickets in conjunction with the presidential candidates.

In addition to its president and vice presidents, Panama elected a new Legislative Assembly (78 members), 20 deputies to represent the country at the Central American Parliament, and a string of mayors and other municipal officers.