Obiang, the world's longest-serving president, wishes to extend his 43-year reign in the oil-rich Central African country.
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Since its independence from Spain in 1968, the West African oil-producing nation of about 1.5 million people has had only two presidents: Obiang and his uncle Francisco Macias Nguema, whom he deposed in a coup in 1979.
The 80-year-old Obiang, who has always been elected with more than 90% of the vote in polls questioned by international observers, is running for a sixth term against two other candidates: Andres Esono Ondo and Buenaventura Monsuy Asumu.
Parliamentary and local elections will be held concurrently.
Oil and gas production accounts for roughly three-quarters of the country's revenue. However, due to maturing fields, output has dropped in recent years to around 93,000 barrels per day (bpd) from around 160,000 bpd in 2015.
Although the tiny Gulf of Guinea nation has seen significant infrastructure investments, critics claim that under Obiang, oil wealth has lined the pockets of his entourage, who live in luxury while the majority of the population lives in poverty.
Obiang is also accused of stifling dissent and restricting free expression. The accusations have been denied by the government.
Protests are mostly prohibited, the media is tightly controlled, and political opponents are frequently arbitrarily arrested and tortured, according to rights groups.
According to activists, intimidation has increased in the run-up to the elections, with authorities targeting civil society groups and regime critics.
Security forces raided the headquarters of a banned opposition party - the only one with a seat in parliament - in September and detained at least 100 of its members.
“On Sunday, people will cast the vote the government expects them to, because you cannot freely speak up your mind in Equatorial Guinea,” human rights activist Tutu Alicante told Reuters.
"No Matter What It Takes"
Repression prior to the election has hampered Obiang's efforts to improve his image abroad, the most recent example being a move to abolish the death penalty earlier this year.
"He is washing his face in front of the international community," said Marta Colomer, Senior Campaigner for West Africa at Amnesty International.
Despite several pledges to increase transparency, alleged corruption has tainted Obiang's tenure.
In 2020, a French court convicted his son, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, of embezzlement.
Foreign powers claim he purchased a crystal-covered glove worn by Michael Jackson, an armoured Rolls-Royce limousine, and a yacht with ill-gotten gains.
Both father and son have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Obiang will face new challenges if re-elected. COVID-19 harmed the economy, and while the war in Ukraine increased demand for non-Russian oil, it also caused food prices to skyrocket.
"The opposition has no chance," Alicante said. "He will do whatever it takes not to lose power."
