Cameroon’s electoral body declares that President Paul Biya leads with 53% of votes, but opposition rejects results and alleges widespread irregularities.
Cameroon’s National Vote Counting Commission has declared President Paul Biya the provisional winner of the country’s presidential election, extending his decades-long rule amid growing political tensions and allegations of fraud.
Eight days after polls closed, the Commission announced on Monday October 20, 2025, that Biya, aged 92, secured just over 53% of the vote, ahead of his main challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who received about 35%.
If confirmed, the outcome would grant Biya another term, pushing his rule past 42 years, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
However, the results have already been rejected by the opposition, with Tchiroma insisting he, not Biya, won the vote. The opposition leader released his own figures, claiming he captured around 60% of ballots cast, and accused the electoral authorities of manipulating the count.
> “The people have made their choice, and that choice must be respected,” Tchiroma said in a statement shortly after the election. “These official figures do not reflect the will of the people.”
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The dispute has ignited protests across several major cities, with demonstrators alleging widespread electoral fraud. In some areas, rallies escalated into clashes between protesters and security forces, as police sought to disperse crowds demanding a recount.
Authorities have urged calm, warning against violence as tensions continue to rise in parts of the country still recovering from years of separatist unrest and security challenges.
Cameroon’s Constitutional Council is expected to publish the final, official results by 26 October, after reviewing potential complaints and irregularities. The Council’s decision will determine whether Biya’s provisional victory stands or if a new round of voting or legal appeals follows.
Biya, who first came to power in 1982, has faced increasing criticism over his extended tenure, economic stagnation, and allegations of authoritarianism. His supporters, however, credit him with maintaining stability in a nation marked by ethnic and regional divides.
International observers have not yet issued a full report on the conduct of the election, though preliminary assessments cited logistical issues and concerns over access for opposition monitors.
As the nation awaits the Constitutional Council’s ruling, Cameroon remains deeply divided, with calls for transparency and restraint from both domestic and international actors.
Africa Daily News, New York
