The Constitutional Council received five appeals Wednesday evening concerning the October 12 presidential election in which 92-year-old President Paul Biya is seeking an eighth term, but none from his former minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who is claiming victory, according to state television.

Official results are expected in ten days. Most analysts expect Paul Biya to win an eighth term in a system his critics accuse of having been locked down over 43 years in power.

According to the electoral code, any dispute must be filed with the Constitutional Council within three days of the close of voting.

The presenter of state television CRTV announced Wednesday evening that "five appeals in total have been filed with the Constitutional Council to date." The petitioners are demanding, in particular, "the annulment of the election on grounds of electoral fraud."

Paradoxically, and despite the enthusiasm he arouses at the head of the Cameroon National Salvation Front (FSNC), Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former minister who remained in the presidential fold for twenty years, has not filed an appeal.

His campaign manager, Chris Maneng, explained that since the Constitutional Council was relying on reports marred by "irregularities," the candidate did not want to engage in a "truncated" approach.

He assures, however, that the minutes proving "the truth of the ballot boxes" and their victory will be published online in the coming days.

Videos circulating on social media show tensions between supporters of Issa Tchiroma Bakary and law enforcement near the offices of the electoral commission (Elecam) in Bafoussam (west) and in the economic capital Douala.

In Douala, fourteen people were arrested, the department's prefect, Sylac Marie Mvogo, told state television CRTV on Thursday.

Fires around the electoral commission branch in Dschang (west) were also reported.

In accordance with the electoral code, those who have filed an appeal may be questioned or asked to provide evidence. In 2018, during the last presidential election, all appeals were rejected.

"It is clear that the institutions will recognize Paul Biya as the winner," says Brice Molo, historian and sociologist and lecturer at the Catholic Institute of Paris (ICT).

The members of the Constitutional Council are considered close to President Paul Biya. In August, they rejected the candidacy of Maurice Kamto, who came second in the 2018 presidential election but declared himself the winner the day after the vote.

AFP