Cameroon’s Electoral Council has officially launched the crucial review process for 82 candidacy files submitted for the country’s highly anticipated 2025 presidential election.
The process was initiated on 23 July during a statutory session held in Yaoundé, presided over by Enow Abrams Egbe, Chairman of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM).
The 82 applications—received by ELECAM’s Directorate General of Elections between 11 and 21 July—were formally handed over to the Council by Director General Erik Essousse during the second statutory session of the institution.
“At the opening of the statutory session dedicated to the examination of presidential candidacies, I solemnly hand over the package of files to the Chair of the Electoral Council, President of Elections Cameroon,” Essousse declared during the handover.
In the coming days, the 18 members of the Electoral Council will meticulously examine each dossier in accordance with Cameroon’s electoral laws. Only those candidates whose applications fully comply with legal requirements will be validated.
According to Enow Abrams Egbe, the credibility and legitimacy of the upcoming vote rest heavily on the Council’s strict adherence to legal frameworks and the thorough scrutiny of every document submitted.
He urged council members to exercise discernment and vigilance in order to detect any irregularities or inconsistencies that could jeopardize the eligibility of a candidate.
The Chairman also underscored the need for absolute confidentiality during the evaluation process. “This session is a test that we must pass to reinforce the credibility of ELECAM. The legitimacy of our institution depends closely on the rigor with which we manage each stage of the process,” he emphasized.
The Council is expected to publish the provisional list of accepted candidates no later than 11 August 2025. Candidates whose files are rejected by ELECAM will have the opportunity to appeal to the Constitutional Council.
Grounds for disqualification, as evidenced in the 2018 election, may include failure to submit a declaration of candidacy, absence of the legally required 300 supporting signatures, missing criminal record extracts, birth certificates, tax certificates, or sworn statements of eligibility.
This review process marks a pivotal moment in the lead-up to Cameroon’s 2025 presidential race, as the nation awaits clarity on who will officially appear on the ballot.
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