Judges in Cameroon have dismissed calls for the partial or total cancellation of the heavily disputed presidential election, stating they would announce the results on Monday. Major cities across the country have witnessed protests, with opposition supporters alleging that the 12 October poll was fraught with irregularities, including ballot-stuffing.
The Constitutional Council judges dismissed eight petitions, citing a lack of sufficient evidence for the alleged irregularities or insufficient jurisdiction to annul the results. Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared himself the winner, a claim refuted by supporters of 92-year-old President Paul Biya who seeks another seven-year term.
Biya has held power for 43 years and has only addressed one campaign rally prior to the election. Tchiroma Bakary, 76, is a former government spokesperson who split from Biya to run against him. Instead of filing complaints with the Constitutional Council, where judges are Biya appointees, he has claimed the title of legal and legitimate president. In a recent social media statement, Tchiroma claimed he won with about 55% of the vote, based on returns he says represent 80% of the electorate.
Tchiroma warned that if the Constitutional Council announces falsified results, it would be betraying public trust. He cautioned that should the populace feel cornered, they may take drastic measures to secure their victory.
Biya’s ruling party dismissed Tchiroma's claims, labeling them illegal, as only the Constitutional Council can announce official results. The influence of the Catholic Church has also been felt, with calls for the judges to reflect voters’ true will in their verdict. Growing public tension has raised concerns about potential post-electoral violence in a nation already dealing with separatist conflicts and Boko Haram terrorism.
