Post of Head of State: Cameroonians decide October 12.

Biya’s convening of the electorate ties with the diktats of Chapter V of Electoral Code in its Section 86 Sub (1) and (2). Section 86 (1) authorises the Head of State as the sole person to convene the electorate.

Article 86 (2) makes it bold that the convening must be done, not less than 90 days before the voting day. The Head of State’s decree, last Friday, also respects Section 84 (3), which specifies that voting for the Presidential poll takes place on a Sunday. The same decree also specified that polling shall start and close between 8a.m. and 6p.m.; in line with the law.

10 days for candidates to deposit files 

Aspirants for the office of the President of the Republic now have 10 days to deposit their files at the Directorate General of Elections Cameroon, ELECAM. 

The Electoral Code in Section 123 (1) carries the deadline, adding that such submission papers must be submitted in duplicate. 

From the date of convening of the electorate and the prescription of the Electoral Code, the latest date for aspirants to submit their files is July 22, 2025.

In Section 123 (2), the same Electoral Code also makes possibility for aspirants to deposit their candidacy files at Regional offices of ELECAM, from where such must be transmitted, within 24 hours, to the central level of the election management body.

Biya declare candidature

The uncertainty as to whether President Paul Biya, 92, will seek re-election, was laid to rest yesterday evening when he declared his intention to seek another term. 

Barons of his Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, had quoted the party’s basic text, which makes Biya a natural candidate, given his position as National Chairman of the ruling party, to justify that he will seek another term. 

Kamto’s candidacy to sail through?

While Biya’s candidacy is surrounded by issues around longevity, Kamto’s is still being haunted by his pulling of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, MRC, party out of the February 9, 2020, twin polls.

The decision has since left the MRC without an elected official. But the bone of contention in recent months has been the interpretation of the law relating to elected officials from other parties who have decamped to the MRC.

MRC supporters have been arguing that thanks to such elected officials who have crossed the carpet, it is possible for Kamto to meet the requirements of Chapter III Section 121 (a) and (b).

While (a) says a candidate must be invested by a political party, (b) details that any candidate from a party without elected officials such as Municipal Councillors, Regional Councillors or Member of Parliament is ineligible but makes room for such a person to run as an independent candidate.

In Section 121 (b), Kamto has the legal option of providing 300 signatures, 30 from each of the country’s 10 Regions, duly authenticated by competent administrative authorities. 

Such signatures, the Electoral Code states, must be from Municipal Councillors, Regional Councillors, Member of Parliament or First-Class traditional rulers.

Despite the independent option, Kamto has been insistent that he will be on the starting block to seek votes for the office of President of the Republic.

Section 126 of the Electoral Code gives the Electoral Board of ELECAM the time frame of 60 days before election day to publish the list of candidates for the election.

If at that level Kamto fails to sail through as a candidate of the MRC, he has the Constitutional Council to cry to. Section 131 of the Electoral Code gives the Constitutional Council 10 days from the date of filing of such a complaint to give a ruling.

Who is eligible to run?

Chapter II Section 117 (1) of the Electoral Code makes clear that anyone seeking to occupy the office of President of the Republic must have his/her political and civil rights intact. Such a person, it also details, must be at least 35 years and above.

The same document indicates in Section 117 (2) that to be eligible to run, an individual must show prove of residence in the country for at least 12 interrupted months, be a citizen and have their names on the electoral register.

Those who have engaged with a foreign organisation, nation and person against the State, going by Section 118 (1), cannot run for the office of President of the Republic. 

In Section 118 (2), the Electoral Code gives power to the Constitutional Council to rule on ineligibility of an aspirant, if there is a complaint from an individual or Legal Department. Ruling on such concerns, the same article specifies, must be done within three days.

In Section 119, the Electoral Code also specifies that the Office of President of the Republic is incompatible with any other public office or professional engagement.

Can opposition get surprise coalition?

Even with the specificities of the Electoral Code, some Cameroonians are rather concerned about having a vibrant opposition candidate.

Amidst multiple consultations within the opposition recently bolstered by the likes of Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba, who were once in alliance with Biya, many say they are expecting a surprise coalition.

Analysts are also expressing fears that if the multitude of opposition parties preaching against Biya fail to agree on a unique candidate, the status quo will not change, come October 12.

US drums peace, rule of law, respect for values 

Meantime, the United States Embassy in Yaounde, issued a statement last Friday, moments after Biya convened the electorate, drumming peace, the rule of law and respect for democratic values.

It saluted the decision to convene the electorate, underscoring the “importance of free, fair, peaceful and inclusive election”. 

Such, the Embassy said, form the anchor of “democratic governance and stability in Cameroon and Central Africa”.

The diplomatic service also reiterated the need for Cameroonians to have confidence in the democratic institutions of their country. 

It appealed to everyone to get involved in the entire process, while upholding democratic canons, peace and the law.

The Embassy said the US is with Cameroonians, as “they take this important step” in the country’s democracy. 

It called for the protection of what it says are essential rights such as freedom of expression, assembly and association as treasured in the Constitution.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3503 of Monday July 14, 2025