[1] Incumbent Chief Executive Fernando Chui, who was re-elected once already, was not eligible to run for the office under Macao Basic Law, the mini-constitution of the territory.

Ho Iat-seng, former President of the Legislative Assembly of Macau, won as the sole candidate of the election.

[5] On 5 July 2019, Ho officially resigned from Legislative Assembly of Macau as President and Member of AL.[6] On 23 June 2019, Ho was able to secure 378 electoral colleges becoming the sole candidate for CE,[7] then appointed by Li Keqiang, Premier of China.

[8] Pro-democracy political party New Macau Association virtually held "Civil Vote of CE Under Universal Suffrage" between 11 and 25 August 2019, of which one question regarding political reform was presented: "Do you agree the Chief Executive of Macau Special Administrative Region shall be selected by universal suffrage?".

Ho was officially appointed by Li Keqiang, Premier of the People's Republic of China, on 4 September 2019, and took office on 20 December.