2025 - Cameroon Presidential Election 2025 (Cameroon)

Cameroon holds presidential elections on 12 October 2025, a vote that will test the resilience of state institutions and public trust after four decades of rule by President Paul Biya. The contest takes place in a context of prolonged security crises in the Anglophone regions and the Far North, economic pressures and rising youth disaffection, and amid criticism over the composition and independence of electoral authorities.

Quick facts

Electoral system: Single-round plurality for president - the candidate with the most votes wins

Registered voters: 8.2 million (approx.)

Candidates: Incumbent President Paul Biya (in office since 1982) is running for an eighth term. The main opposition landscape is fragmented; notable developments include the disqualification or exclusion of some prominent challengers including Maurice Kamto.

Timeline for results: The Electoral Code provides that the Constitutional Council must adopt and proclaim the presidential election results no later than 15 days after the close of the polls.

Political context

Paul Biya’s candidacy frames the election. Having governed since 1982 and removed constitutional term limits in 2008, Biya remains a dominant figure in Cameroonian politics. His old age (92) and frequent absence from public life have been focal points of domestic debate and international attention. Nevertheless, Biya retains strong levers of state power, including senior appointments, security forces and local patronage networks.

For many citizens, particularly the country’s large youth population, the election is an opportunity to press for improved governance, jobs and services. At the same time, broad skepticism about the fairness of the process and the efficacy of the ballot remains.

Opposition dynamics

The opposition is fragmented. Key developments in the pre-electoral period include the exclusion of Maurice Kamto, a leading opposition figure who posed a significant challenge in previous cycles; his disqualification heightened tensions and raised questions about the impartiality of electoral eligibility processes. Other challengers include defectors and former insiders who present themselves as alternatives to Biya.

Security environment and electoral risks

Cameroon’s electoral environment is shaped by two major insecurity drivers:

The Anglophone crisis: persistent separatist violence and government counter-operations in the two English-speaking regions have disrupted everyday life and displaced populations, complicating voter registration and access to polling in parts of the country.

Violence in the Far North: cross-border attacks and the Boko Haram insurgency continue to pose security challenges and can potentially affect turnout and the logistics of voting.

International Crisis Group, a nonprofit organization warned that these conflicts add substantial electoral risk, including localized disruptions, displacement of voters, and heightened potential for contestation of results in affected areas. Civil society, regional partners and think tanks have urged de-escalation and legal safeguards to minimize disruption on election day.

Election Management

Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) is the official election management body responsible for organising the poll. However, concerns persist over the perceived independence and capacity of the institution. Critics have pointed to appointment processes, legal frameworks and administrative practices that may advantage incumbency. These criticisms have been amplified by high-profile eligibility rulings and complaints from opposition parties and civil society.

Results Summary