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The Constitutional Council of Cameroon has officially announced that it will begin hearing pre-election disputes from August 4, 2025, as part of the legal process leading up to the October 12 presidential election. The hearings will take place at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé, according to a press release signed by the President of the Council, Clément Atangana.
This move follows the closure of the 72-hour appeal window, which ended at midnight on July 28, three days after Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) released the official list of approved candidates for the upcoming election. During this period, political parties and individuals whose candidacies were rejected had the right to submit appeals challenging ELECAM’s decisions.
A total of 35 appeals have been filed with the Constitutional Council. These appeals concern two main issues: the rejection of candidacies and the validation of certain individuals considered ineligible by opposing candidates or political groups.
One of the most talked-about cases involves Maurice Kamto, leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM). His candidacy was rejected by ELECAM, citing a case of “multiple nomination” within MANIDEM, the party under which he had planned to contest. Kamto’s case has attracted national attention, with many supporters questioning the legal and political basis for the rejection.
The Constitutional Council, under Cameroonian law, is now required to review and make a ruling on each appeal within ten days. These rulings will determine the final list of candidates who will be on the ballot for the October 12, 2025 presidential election.
The process is a key stage in Cameroon’s electoral calendar, as it tests the transparency and credibility of the democratic system. Observers from political parties, civil society, and the international community are watching the proceedings closely. The decisions made during these hearings will not only affect the outcome of the election but also influence public confidence in the electoral institutions.
According to reports, several opposition leaders have raised concerns over ELECAM’s handling of the candidate vetting process. They argue that some rejections were based on unclear legal grounds, while certain approvals allegedly favoured candidates close to the ruling party. These allegations add to the tension and increase the importance of a transparent and impartial review by the Constitutional Council.
The Council, made up of 11 members, is the highest legal authority on constitutional matters in Cameroon. It plays a vital role in electoral justice, especially during presidential elections. In the coming days, the hearings are expected to feature legal arguments, witness testimonies, and documentary evidence as candidates present their cases before the Council.
The final rulings will be binding and cannot be appealed, making this process the last legal chance for excluded candidates to re-enter the race. If successful, they will be added to the official list of candidates. If rejected, their names will not appear on the final ballot.
The hearings will also serve as a public platform to address issues related to political participation, electoral fairness, and freedom of candidacy. Legal analysts say the outcome of high-profile cases like that of Maurice Kamto may shape the tone of the election and determine whether it is perceived as free and fair by both domestic and international observers.
As the country awaits the Council’s decisions, political parties continue to prepare for the campaign period, which is expected to start shortly after the final list of candidates is confirmed. The atmosphere remains tense but hopeful, as Cameroonians anticipate an election that could define the country’s political direction for the next several years.
