President Teodoro Obiang Nguema (AFP)

The world's longest-serving president is running for re-election in Equatorial Guinea, where he has ruled for 43 years.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, 80, has presided over a dictatorship that has been accused of human rights violations including torture and disappearances.

Some opposition candidates are running, although they are unlikely to win.

With family members in key government positions, the president has a firm grip on the oil-rich country.

According to UK authorities, his eccentric son, Teodoro "Teodorin" Nguema Obiang Mangue, who serves as the country's Vice-President, has led a luxury lifestyle in the US and Europe and even has an exquisite crystal-covered glove originally held by Michael Jackson.

The "elections are merely cosmetic", Professor Ana Lúcia Sá said as quoted by BBC.

Professor Sá, who specializes in politics and authoritarian African regimes at the University Institute of Lisbon, added: "Nothing will change."

Political opposition is hardly tolerated and is greatly hampered by a lack of free press, as the government owns or controls all broadcast media.

President Obiang, who has previously denied rights violations and election cheating, is assumed to be attempting to repair his international reputation.

The administration abolished the death penalty in September, a decision applauded by the UN.

The Obiang regime has also been accused of corruption after his son Teodorin Obiang was punished in a French court for exploiting state funds to fund a lavish lifestyle in the European country. Obiang's assets in France have already been seized.

It is worth noting that Equatorial Guinea is suing France before the ICJ in the latest step in the long-running legal dispute between the two countries. The case involves a conviction issued last year by the Paris Court of Appeal against the president of Equatorial Guinea's son.

The vice president, who is expected to replace his father, was also sanctioned by the UK in 2021 as part of an anti-corruption operation.

Vice President Obiang has refuted all allegations of impropriety. President Obiang has previously dismissed all claims of corruption.

More than 300,000 people have registered to vote in the election on Sunday in a country whose population numbers 1.45 million.