By Noela E. BISONG & Doh J. Sonkey
Security was beefed up in major hotspots in the nation’s capital, Yaoundé, Saturday, July 26, during the official publication of the list of candidates retained for the October 12, 2025 presidential election in Cameroon.
According to the statistics presented by the Vice Chairperson of the Electoral Board, Amugu nee Abena Ekobena Appoline Marie, ‘‘ELECAM received candidacies from the 10 regions; Adamawa 5, Centre 56, East 2, Far North 1, Littoral 10, North 1, North West 1, West 3, South 3 and South West 1, making a total of 83.’’
She explained that 56 files were presented by political parties and 27 by independent persons. Gender analysis shows that 76 men and 7 women deposited candidacy files for these polls. The Vice Chairperson of the Electoral Board said they received 28 candidacies files in 2018 while in 2025, they received 83 files.
The President of the Electoral Board of Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, Enow Abrams Egbe presented the list of the those retained for the October 12 presidential election in Cameroon.
He saluted the discretion of Electoral Board members who worked intensely for four days to publish the list of 13 candidates for the presidential race.
He said according to resolution No 2025/012/R/ELECAM/EB of 26 July 2025 to draw up and publish the lists of candidates for the election of the President of the Republic of 12 October 2025, the following have gone through successfully; Ateki Seta Caxton of ALP party, Bello Bouba Maigari of NUDP party, Paul Biya of the CPDM party, Bougha Hagbe Jacques of CNCM party, Dzipan Hilaire Marcaire of PM party, Issa Tchiroma Bakary of the CNSF party, Kwemo Pierre of the USM party, Libii Li Ngue Cabral of the CPNR party, Matomba Serge Espoir of the UPSR party, Muna Akere of the UNIVERS party, Osih Joshua Nambangi of the SDF party and Tomaino Hermine Patricia epse Ndam Njoya.
The stakes
Following the proclamation, the other 70 candidates have two days to petition their rejection at the Constitutional Council, after which the electoral board will review such within 10 days to decide on admitting them or not. While the list was being announced, Terrritorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji was also having a meeting with collaborators, fine-tunning strategies on how best to avert any protest(s) from some rejected candidates.
The biggest blow on the rejection list is that of Prof. Maurice Kamto, who went under the ticket of Manidem party. In a first reaction after the proclamation, the party called for calm at the rejection of their candidate, saying it will follow due process to see the situation handled. All eyes are now fixed to see if new names and faces will be added to the already announced 13.
What is also being anticipated is if Maurice Kamto, leader of Cameroon Renaissance Movement CRM party will succumb to his candidacy rejection, and rally behind one of the opposition candidates, to present a strong fight against Biya’s ruling CPDM come October 12. Pundits have judged Kamto’s political moves as being mis-calculated, especially after his party boycotted the 2020 municipal and legislative elections, which may have seen him secure some councils and parliamentary seats, thus solidifying his candidacy bid. With no representation but a religious following, the one once tipped favourite to end the CPDM leadership now appears bare.
Paul Biya, 92, is the CPDM’s candidate and it remains to be seen what strategies the opposition will put in place to end his 43-year rule as he seeks another mandate.
Issa Tchiroma Bakary who recently resigned as Minister of Employment and Vocational Training believes he is the man to bring in the transition the country needs. UNDP’s Bello Bouba, having couragously ended the party’s alliance with the CPDM, is standing again, after the 1992 election. SDF’s Joshua Osih has urged Cameroonians to throw weight behind him to see the needed change, not in words only, but credible, swift actions. The lone female on the list this year is Tomaino Hermine Patricia epse Ndam Njoya of the UDC party, while Cabral Libii of the CPNR and Matomba Serge Espoir of UPSR are giving a second try after 2018. Akere Muna of Now Movement is running for the first time under UNIVERS party, after he threw his weight behind Kamto’s MRC in 2018. Within the 13 are new faces which fingers are crossed to see what becomes of their moves in the days ahead.