07/11/2025
Cameroon: President Biya Sets Presidential Election for October 12
President Paul Biya, Cameroon’s longest-serving leader has set October 12, 2025 as the day Cameroonians head to the polls to choose their new president.
In a decree signed on Friday, July 11, 2025, polling stations shall be opened at 8 (eight) a.m. and closed at 6 (six) p.m on October 12, 2025
The election is set against the backdrop of political tension, with Biya, who has held power since 1982, facing growing scrutiny and potential challenges from both allies and opposition figures.
Candidates are required to submit their applications to Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) by July 21, 2025. The final list of candidates will be confirmed by August 11, and the campaign period will run from late September to October 11.
Over 8.2 million Cameroonians are registered to vote, following a significant increase of 373,000 new voters since January 2025. The election is expected to be highly competitive, with opposition leaders like Maurice Kamto and former allies such as Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari declaring their candidacies.
President Biya has still not declared his candidacy but many of his supporters expect that to be done soonest.