Cameroon Presidential Election Results: Paul Biya Declared Winner With 53.66% Amid Protests and Disputes

Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has declared President Paul Biya the winner of the 2025 presidential election, securing 53.66% of the vote and extending his decades-long rule. The announcement on October 27 came two weeks after Cameroonians voted on October 12 and immediately sparked protests and a wave of challenges from the opposition, which alleges widespread irregularities.

What the Cameroon presidential election results show

The official tally places Paul Biya, 92, ahead of his nearest rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who was credited with 35.19%. Biya’s victory delivers an eighth term in office, reinforcing a tenure that began in 1982 and continued after constitutional term limits were removed in 2008. The certification by the Constitutional Council makes the result legally binding under Cameroonian law.

Opposition parties argue that the figures do not reflect the will of voters in several regions. They have called for an audit of polling station returns and the release of full precinct-level results. Some civil society groups also cited concerns about access to polling sites, relocation of stations, and the integrity of voter rolls.

Tense aftermath: protests, security deployments, and claims

In the hours surrounding the proclamation of the Cameroon presidential election results, demonstrations flared in major cities, including Yaoundé, Douala, Bafoussam, and Garoua. Local accounts described a heavy security presence, temporary business closures, and restrictions on gatherings. Reports of internet disruptions surfaced in parts of the country.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary rejected the outcome and reiterated his earlier claim of victory based on parallel vote tabulation conducted by his campaign. He urged supporters to remain mobilized but avoid violence. There were additional allegations of gunfire near opposition areas in the north; these claims remain unverified. Authorities have not publicly detailed the scope of arrests or injuries, though multiple incidents of clashes were recorded in recent days.

How the vote unfolded on October 12

Election day proceeded under heightened scrutiny. Turnout figures were not immediately released nationwide, and observers noted uneven participation across regions. In the Anglophone areas and parts of the Far North, security concerns and logistical hurdles were widely discussed ahead of the poll. Elsewhere, voting reportedly moved more smoothly, with long lines in several urban centers.

The governing party relied on its entrenched nationwide machinery, particularly in rural zones and smaller towns, while opposition campaigns concentrated on urban districts and sought to boost youth participation. After the polls closed, rival camps issued conflicting victory narratives, setting the stage for a drawn-out counting period and disputes over result consolidation.

Legal pathways and what happens next

Under Cameroonian law, the Constitutional Council’s proclamation is final. However, opposition parties can still file targeted petitions regarding specific incidents, urging administrative or criminal investigations into alleged fraud, intimidation, or tampering. Any such actions would not overturn the already-declared national outcome but could influence future electoral reforms or local accountability measures.

The immediate policy focus now turns to stability: preventing further escalation, re-opening civic space, and reassuring investors and partners. The government is expected to emphasize continuity—macroeconomic management, infrastructure projects, and security operations—while opposition figures press for dialogue on electoral procedures, decentralization, and human rights protections.

Why these Cameroon election results matter

• Leadership continuity vs. legitimacy debate: Another term for the world’s oldest sitting head of state intensifies questions about generational transition, executive accountability, and the pace of political opening.

• Security implications: Post-election unrest risks compounding existing security pressures in the Far North and the Anglophone regions. The scale and duration of protests in the coming days will shape the national outlook.

• Economic signal: Currency stability, trade flows through Douala, and investment decisions in energy and telecoms are sensitive to perceptions of political risk. A calm return to daily life would help contain spillovers.

• Regional context: Cameroon’s stability is pivotal in Central Africa’s security architecture and in transnational initiatives on counterterrorism and cross-border trade.

Key numbers at a glance

• Winner: Paul Biya

• Vote share: 53.66% (official)

• Main challenger: Issa Tchiroma Bakary — 35.19% (official)

• Election date: October 12, 2025

• Result proclaimed: October 27, 2025

• Status: Opposition rejects results; protests and heightened security reported

What to watch in the coming days

1. Protest dynamics: Whether demonstrations remain localized or widen, and how security forces respond.

2. Opposition strategy: Legal filings, calls for mediation, or proposals for an independent audit of result sheets.

3. Government outreach: Signals of dialogue—potential commitments on election administration, transparency of voters’ rolls, or stakeholder meetings with civil society.

4. Digital access: Any further disruptions to internet or communications in sensitive areas.

5. International reactions: Statements may encourage restraint and reforms without altering the legal finality of the announced outcome.

The Cameroon presidential election results now shift the national conversation from counting to legitimacy and governance. With tensions still elevated, the priority for all actors will be de-escalation, clarity on contested issues, and concrete steps that restore public trust in the political process.