Cameroon / Presidential election: President Paul Biya declared the winner, Issa Tchiroma Bakary called upon to respect the verdict of the ballot box
In Cameroon, the National Commission for the General Census of Votes (CNRGV) released the provisional results of the October 12th presidential election this Wednesday. According to figures compiled from tally sheets submitted by the 58 departmental commissions, incumbent President Paul Biya is leading the race with 53.66% of the vote, ahead of his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who garnered 35.19%.
The results, published by the 33-member Commission, confirm the dominance of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC) following a single-round election. Candidate Cabral Libii came in third with 3.41%, followed by Bello Bouba Maigari with 2.45%.
The Constitutional Council, the sole institution empowered to proclaim the final results, has convened a special session to examine any legal challenges filed by the candidates.
This process is in line with the transparency and respect for electoral procedures mandated by Cameroonian law.
However, in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Issa Tchiroma Bakary claimed he had won the election with nearly 54.8% of the vote against 31.3% for Paul Biya.
He based this claim on an internal compilation from 18 departments which he said represent 80% of the national electorate.
This unilateral proclamation has sparked strong reactions across the political landscape and among observers.
In this context, several voices are calling for restraint and respect for republican institutions.
While elections are a cornerstone of democracy, their credibility hinges on the acceptance of the official results.
As an experienced politician, Issa Tchiroma Bakary is being urged to prioritize legal avenues, trust the appeal mechanisms provided by the Constitution, and respect the verdict of Cameroonian voters.
President Paul Biya, 92, appears poised to be confirmed once again as the head of the state, backed by his party and a majority of citizens.
As Cameroon, true to its commitment to peace and stability, awaits the official proclamation from the Constitutional Council, the nation looks to conclude this electoral chapter in a spirit of national unity and democratic respect.
Gilbert FOTSO
