The official shortlist of candidates retained for the upcoming October 12 presidential election was published on 26 July.
While the political landscape braces for impact, the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement CPDM is surging ahead with renewed vigour and a unified base behind its candidate, President Paul Biya. In stark contrast, the opposition stumbles into disarray, most notably with the exclusion of Maurice Kamto, a dramatic development that has sent ripples through the fractured opposition front.
Paul Biya, the architect has once again answered the call of duty, bearing the CPDM’s torch into the electoral arena. Alongside President Biya, Elecam retained 12 other candidates, many of whom bring recycled ambitions, fragmented visions, or narrow regional appeal. The list includes: Joshua Osih, Cabral Libii, Akere Muna, Serge Espoir Matomba, Bello Bouba Maigari, and others, representing a mosaic of ideologies without unity.
In what opposition circles have dubbed a political earthquake, Maurice Kamto’s candidacy was rejected by Elecam. Citing procedural irregularities tied to his questionable nomination by MANIDEM – a party riddled with internal disputes.
Far from a political manoeuvre, this is a triumph of legal and institutional discipline, ensuring that only candidates who meet all electoral and constitutional standards advance to the final race.
The ball is now in the court of the Constitutional Council, which will review any appeal within the next 10 days. The law grants rejected candidates 48 to 72 hours to challenge Elecam’s decision. The Constitutional Council, acting as the final legal arbiter, will consider all petitions and deliver rulings within ten days.
Once completed, the final list of candidates will be published, marking the official green light for campaign season, during which the CPDM will present a bold vision for 2035: one of national unity, digital transformation, sustainable development, and regional integration.
As other parties scramble to recalibrate, the CPDM enters this race with unmatched discipline, structure, and legitimacy. According to Jean Nkuété, Secretary General of the Central Committee “I believe that, thanks to the stability and dynamic evolution of our country, this election will take place under favourable conditions…we are fully aware that the Cameroonian people are mature enough to distinguish between what has been accomplished, what is currently being done, and what is being proposed. This awareness will lead them to give the Head of State the resounding score we are hoping for. We intend to be just as serious in the electoral campaign, the real battlefield as we have been in supporting the President of the Republic in preserving peace in our country, which remains the key to development.”
The CPDM’s national apparatus is intact, its youth and women’s wings energized, and its candidate a global statesman.
Claudette Chin
