Eight days after Cameroon’s presidential election, the National Vote Counting Commission has announced provisional results showing incumbent President Paul Biya in the lead.
According to the Commission, Biya secured over 53% of the total votes, ahead of his closest rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who polled 35%.However, the preliminary outcome has been strongly contested. Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma has maintained since last week that he, not Biya, won the election.
“I want to say this with seriousness and honesty, the people have spoken, and their decision must be respected,” Tchiroma declared just two days after the polls closed.
On Sunday night, he began releasing his own vote count, claiming to have won around 60% of the ballots.Tchiroma has rejected the official tallies, alleging irregularities and demanding greater transparency in the vote-counting process.
The dispute has already triggered nationwide protests. In several major cities, demonstrations turned violent as clashes broke out between protesters and security forces, with some accusing the authorities of electoral fraud.
The Constitutional Council is expected to publish the final official results by October 26.If confirmed, the outcome would allow Paul Biya, at 92 years old, to extend his 42-year reign, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
