Cameroon’s electoral body, Elections Cameroon (Elecam), has trimmed the list of presidential contenders for the upcoming October polls from 82 to just 13 after a stringent review of qualifications.
The announcement confirms that President Paul Biya, who has ruled for 43 years, will seek an eighth term, while some notable figures, including his former main challenger Maurice Kamto, were disqualified.
The final list excludes all 24 aspirants who sought to run as independents, along with Kamto, who came second in the disputed 2018 election and had recently joined the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem) after resigning from the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC).
Kamto’s bid was rejected after Elecam cited his party for nominating two candidates, in violation of Cameroonian law.The shortlist includes younger politicians like 38-year-old Iyodi Hiram Samuel and 39-year-old Ateki Seta Caxton, both born after Biya first took office.
Tomaino Hermine Patricia Ndam Njoya, a former parliamentarian and mayor, stands as the only female candidate. Other prominent contenders cleared include seasoned lawyer and anti-corruption advocate Akere Muna, Cabral Libii, Joshua Osih, Serge Espoir Matomba, as well as former Biya allies Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary.
Bougha Hagbe Jacques, Dzipang Hilaire Marcaire, and Kwemo Pierre complete the list.
Elecam President Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe, during a brief ceremony, said the body had rigorously applied the law when scrutinizing applications, rejecting 70 aspirants for failing to meet statutory requirements but offering no detailed explanation.
Those excluded have 72 hours to appeal to the Constitutional Council, though the council has never overturned Elecam’s decisions.
Yaoundé, the capital, saw heavy security deployment with riot police patrolling major junctions ahead of the announcement. On Friday, the government warned it would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the electoral process, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining integrity and transparency in the lead-up to the vote.
