Cameroon: Constitutional Council Approves 12 Candidates for Presidential Election

The Constitutional Council has validated 12 candidates for the presidential election set to take place on October 12 in Cameroon, following hearings concerning pre-election disputes.

Of the 35 appeals lodged by disqualified candidates and party officials, only one was upheld: Hilaire Nzipang from the Progressive Movement (MP), who triumphed in his case after a petition from a party official. He had originally been among the 13 candidates selected by Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) on July 26, the organization responsible for overseeing elections.

All other appeals were rejected, including those filed by Maurice Kamto, the representative of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM). Consequently, Kamto—who was the primary challenger to incumbent President Paul Biya, securing over 14% of the votes in the 2018 presidential election—will not participate in the upcoming election on October 12.