Cameroon’s electoral commission, ELECAM, has rejected the candidacy of prominent opposition figure Maurice Kamto ahead of the upcoming presidential election — a decision that has stirred heated political debate but comes as little surprise to many observers.
The rejection came shortly after the deadline for candidacy submissions closed.
According to sources close to the commission, ELECAM meticulously reviewed each of the applications before validating only thirteen contenders for the nation’s top post. Kamto, the leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), was not among them.
Maurice Kamto, a fierce critic of President Paul Biya’s decades-long rule, has long been a central figure in Cameroon’s opposition landscape.
His exclusion has fueled speculation about the underlying motives of the electoral body, with critics arguing that the decision underscores the narrowing space for democratic competition in the country.
Political analysts say the disqualification of Kamto was anticipated given his history with ELECAM and the ruling regime. His 2018 presidential bid ended in controversy and mass protests after he claimed victory before official results were announced.
That move led to his arrest and months-long detention — a chapter that still resonates with his supporters and civil society groups.
“The opposite would have been surprising,” reads a headline from Editions Le Pays, reflecting widespread sentiment that the decision was less a legal matter and more a foregone political conclusion.
ELECAM has not publicly elaborated on the specific reasons behind Kamto’s rejection, though procedural irregularities or alleged non-compliance with candidacy requirements are often cited in similar past cases.
As the campaign season unfolds, the absence of Kamto from the ballot is likely to deepen skepticism about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process in Cameroon.
Whether his supporters will channel their frustration into protest, boycott, or political negotiation remains to be seen.
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