Incumbent President Taneti Maamau of the Tobwaan Kiribati Party was re-elected with about 55% of the vote to Kaotitaake Kokoria's 42%.

[4] The president is directly elected by plurality vote from three or four candidates nominated by and from among members of the House of Assembly.

[7] If more than four nominations are received, parliament votes by secret ballot in two rounds to eliminate the surplus nominees.

The TKP nominated incumbent president Taneti Maamau, alongside three other members of the TKP described as "dummy candidates": Bautaake Beia from Washington (Teraina), Riteta Iorome from Onotoa, and Kaotitaake Kokoria from Fanning (Tabuaeran), all first-time members of parliament.

[17] Prior to the election being held, Kaotitaake Kokoria defected away from the TKP to form a new alliance, with the support of two other MPs.