Esther Imonmion
Cameroon’s Constitutional Council on Wednesday, October 22, dismissed all ten petitions challenging the October 12 presidential election, paving the way for the announcement of final results.
The court said the complaints—ranging from ballot stuffing and voter intimidation to alleged irregularities—lacked sufficient evidence or fell outside its jurisdiction. The council’s rulings are final and not subject to appeal.
The decision clears the last legal hurdle before the official declaration of results, expected by Sunday. Provisional tallies released earlier showed President Paul Biya in the lead with over 53 percent of the vote, ahead of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who trailed with about 35 percent.
Tchiroma has continued to insist that he won the election, rejecting any outcome that names Biya as the victor. “If they prefer to threaten the serenity and peace of the country rather than admit defeat, we will respond with the peaceful determination of the people,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Protests broke out in several cities following the court’s decision, particularly in Garoua, Tchiroma’s hometown in the country’s north. One teacher was reportedly killed by stray bullets during clashes between demonstrators and security forces, according to local reports.
Biya, 92, has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and is widely expected to secure another seven-year term if the provisional figures are confirmed.
The Constitutional Council has until Sunday, October 26, to proclaim the final results.