October 12 presidential poll: Fate of 83 presidential aspirants to be released on Saturday, July 26

The Chairperson of the Electoral Board, president of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe has informed the general public and stakeholders of the electoral process, in particular that the Electoral Board shall publish the list of candidates accepted for Sunday, October 12 presidential election on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 12:00 noon, at the headquarters of Elections Cameroon.

He made this announcement through a communique signed on Thursday,July 24, 2025.

The presidential election, scheduled for October 12, is attracting significant interest with a record number of contenders. 

By the close of the application period on July 21, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the body organizing the vote, had registered 83 candidacies, including 26 independents candidates. 

Among the candidates are well-known prominent figures like Maurice Kamto, Cabral Libii, and incumbent President Paul Biya. Only seven female candidates are among the 83 aspirants, including Eliane Véronique Eboutou, Mbengono Zouame Epse Ndzie Ngono Guyleine, and Géneviève Zeh Amvene.

This marks a record number of presidential candidates in Cameroon since the advent of democracy in the 1990s. 

While not all candidates' motivations are clearly defined, the surge in candidacies has sparked mixed public reactions. Some view it as a sign of inclusiveness and democratic vitality. Others argue it trivializes the presidency and diminishes its prestige.  

Another notable feature of this election is the registration of multiple candidates under the banner of the same party. This includes incumbent President Paul Biya and Léon Theiller Onana, both registered under the ruling CPDM. 

A similar situation is observed within the Union of the Populations of Cameroon, UPC, which has put forward three candidates: Abdouraman Hamadou Babba, Dominique Yamb Timba, and Jean Bahebeck.  

Two candidates are also running under the Univers party banner, Akere Muna and Chantal Adelaïde Membouet, while Dieudonné Yebga is standing under the banner of Manidem, which has endorsed Maurice Kamto. 

Now that the application period has closed, ELECAM’s Electoral Board must review the eligibility of the candidacies in accordance with the electoral code. 

If a candidacy is rejected, Dr. Enow Egbe says ELECAM will notify the candidate concerned and specifies the reasons for the decision. At least 60 days before the election date, the Electoral Board publishes the list of approved candidates and notifies the Constitutional Council. 

If any candidacies are rejected, candidates have two days to appeal to the Constitutional Council. From the appeal date, the Constitutional Council has ten days to rule and notify the Electoral Board of its decision, after which the final list of candidates will be made public. 

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Chairperson of the Electoral Board, president of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe

Copy of the communique issued by Chairperson ELECAM, Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe