Cameroon opposition candidate Tchiroma claims victory in presidential election

Election Update: Cameroon's Presidential Election

Cameroon's opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared victory in the presidential election held on Thu, Oct 12, 2023. The official results from Elections Cameroon, the independent body overseeing the election, and the constitutional court are anticipated by Thu, Oct 26, 2023.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary has called for President Paul Biya to acknowledge the outcome of the election, citing a clear victory. In response, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) has refuted Tchiroma's claim. Gregoire Owona, the deputy secretary-general of the CPDM, has stated that the opposition lacks results from polling stations.

Official Channels for Result Declaration

The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, has emphasized that only the Constitutional Council is authorized to announce the official results. Unauthorized announcements could lead to charges of high treason.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson and minister under President Biya, has gained support from a coalition of opposition parties. President Paul Biya, in power since 1982, is the world's oldest president at 92 years. The election involved 11 opposition candidates and approximately 8 million eligible voters.

The election utilizes a single-round system where the candidate with the most votes secures the presidency. In the previous election in 2018, President Biya won with over 70% of the vote, despite reports of irregularities and low voter turnout.

Cameroon, with nearly 30 million residents, faces challenges including a secessionist movement and widespread corruption, impacting its development despite possessing rich natural resources. The outcome of this election could have significant implications for the country's political landscape.

Based on reporting by Africanews.