81 candidates apply for Cameroon’s October presidential elections
In a statement announcing his candidacy, Biya, who has been in power since 1982, stated that he was responding to numerous calls to throw his hat in the ring.
A record 81 candidates have submitted applications to run in Cameroon's presidential elections scheduled for mid-October.
The figure, media reports indicate, was confirmed by the country's elections body after the applications were submitted before Monday's midnight deadline.
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According to Africa News, among the applicants are several familiar faces, including Bello Bouba Maïgari, who is running for the second time after cutting ties with long-serving President Paul Biya earlier this year.
Maurice Kamto and Cabral Libii are also making repeat bids, each having switched political party allegiances ahead of the vote.
However, the race remains heavily male-dominated, with only seven women among the 81 applicants. Female candidates include Eliane Véronique Eboutou and independents Mbengono Zouame Epse Ndzie Ngono Guyleine and Géneviève Zeh Amvene, among others.
Topping the list of male candidates is 92-year-old incumbent Biya, Africa's oldest head of state, who has ruled Cameroon for more than 40 years.
Despite mounting concerns over his health and capacity to govern, Biya formally declared his intention to seek his eighth term in office last week.
In a statement announcing his candidacy, Biya, who has been in power since 1982, stated that he was responding to numerous calls to throw his hat in the ring.
He added that he could not abandon his mission to serve Cameroon at a time of mounting economic pressure, further reiterating his determination to rule.
"I am a candidate for the October 12, 2025, presidential election. Rest assured that my determination to serve you is commensurate with the serious challenges facing us. Together, there are no challenges we cannot meet. The best is still to come," Biya said then.
The country's electoral council is now tasked with reviewing all submissions, with decisions on candidate eligibility expected in the coming weeks.
The final list of approved candidates must be published no later than 60 days before the election day, scheduled for October 12, 2025.
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