President Paul Biya has been declared winner of Cameroon’s presidential election, securing a fresh mandate to continue his 42-year tenure in office.
The Constitutional Council announced on Monday that Biya achieved 53.66 per cent of the total votes cast. His main rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary of the Cameroon National Salvation Front, received 35.19 per cent.
Official figures show that over 4.6 million Cameroonians voted out of more than eight million registered voters, amounting to a 57 per cent voter turnout. This represents a rise compared to 2018’s 53.85 per cent, though lower than the 65.82 per cent recorded in 2011.
At 92, Biya is one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, having governed Cameroon since 1982 under the banner of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
In line with constitutional requirements, the president-elect must take the oath of office within 15 days of the official results. The ceremony will be conducted before the public, and attended by members of the Parliament, Constitutional Council and Supreme Court.
