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Cameroon’s electoral commission has reportedly rejected the candidacy of prominent opposition leader, Maurice Kamto, in the upcoming presidential election, a move likely to heighten tensions and increase the chances of another victory for long-serving President Paul Biya.
According to Aljazeera, the decision was announced on Saturday by the head of the electoral commission, ELECAM, during a news conference in which a list of 13 approved candidates was read out.
Kamto’s name was notably absent. No official reasons were provided for his exclusion, though candidates who were not listed have two days to file an appeal.
Kamto, who had sought to contest under the banner of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), previously ran in the 2018 presidential election as the candidate for the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), a party he founded in 2012.
That election was marred by allegations of fraud and low voter turnout.
The United Nations Department of Safety and Security had earlier warned that the announcement of candidates could spark unrest in the capital, Yaoundé.
Fears of protests escalated following Saturday’s announcement.
Security forces were deployed around ELECAM headquarters as well as key roads in Yaoundé and the economic capital, Douala.
A total of 83 individuals had submitted their candidacies for the October 12 poll.
The final list of approved candidates will be released in the coming days, following the review of any appeals.
President Biya, 92, the world’s oldest serving head of state, confirmed last month he would seek re-election despite persistent rumours regarding his declining health.
He has held power since 1982—more than four decades.
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