[3] The leading candidate was incumbent president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, running for his first term after the 2011 constitutional referendum and sixth overall.

[2] Opposition candidate, Gabriel Nse Obiang Obono, was prevented from running for not meeting residency requirements.

[6] Three days after the election date was announced, Human Rights Watch said that the Center for the Study and Initiatives for Development had been ordered to shut down.

According to EG Justice, a member of opposition party Centre-Right Union was detained and beaten by authorities during the campaign.

[7] The African Union sent an observer mission, led by former Beninese President Thomas Boni Yayi, on 13 April to oversee the conduct of the election.