Its leader, incumbent president Ernest Bai Koroma, won 58.7% of the vote, enough to win a second term without the need for a runoff.

He was challenged by former President and general Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People's Party.

On July 31, 2011, Bio defeated Usman Boie Kamara for the party's nomination.

Three seats were left vacant, with no election taking place in constituencies 5, 12 and 92 (Western Area Rural District).

The election was delayed in Western Area Rural District due to the death of PMDC candidate, and a by-election was held on 9 February 2013.