YAOUNDE, Oct. 13 – Cameroonian authorities have issued a warning after the presidential election on Sunday against the circulation of false results. Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji said intelligence services had identified a platform attempting to publish fraudulent outcomes.
At a press briefing in Yaounde, Atanga Nji said anyone found responsible would face legal action regardless of political or social status. He urged political parties to use official channels to contest results.
Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) director general Essosse Erik reminded citizens that the Constitutional Council will announce official results within 15 days. He explained that votes will first be processed by local electoral commissions before final counting at the national level.
Voting opened at 8:00 a.m. and closed at 6:00 p.m. local time. According to Erik, the election proceeded smoothly across the country and abroad, with no major incidents reported and materials available at all polling stations.
Incumbent President Paul Biya cast his ballot at the Government Primary School Bastos station in Yaounde, seeking an eighth term in office since 1982. He told reporters he was satisfied with the voting process and called for peaceful conduct.
Biya’s main challenger, former government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma Bakary, voted in Garoua in the north. He urged voters to stay until counting ended and expressed hope for a peaceful outcome. Protests erupted in Garoua after rumors circulated that Tchiroma was under house arrest, but calm returned once he confirmed he was safe.
Originally, 12 candidates registered for the election, but opposition figures Akere Muna and Seta Caxton Ateki joined forces with former Biya ally Bello Bouba Maigari, reducing the field to 10. ELECAM reported that over 8 million voters were registered at more than 31,000 polling stations.
Voters interviewed by Xinhua expressed hopes for peace and development. James Essomba in Yaounde called for a new leadership that delivers jobs and prosperity, while Mohammed Daroua cited the need for better roads, water, and electricity.
Extra security was deployed in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions after separatist groups threatened disruptions. Residents described voting in these areas as calm but tense. Tanyi Besem of Buea prayed for lasting peace in the regions that have experienced prolonged conflict.
The election uses a single-round system where the candidate with the most votes will be declared president.
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