The files were handed over to the ELECAM Board’s Chairperson, Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe by the Director General of Elections at ELECAM Dr. Essousse Erik, Director General of Elections during the opening of the Board’s second Session as of Right.
With just under three months to Cameroon’s highly anticipated presidential election, the country’s electoral process has entered a new phase. Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, the body charged with managing the country’s elections, has officially received and begun examining the candidacy files of those vying for the nation’s highest office. During a solemn session held at ELECAM headquarters in Yaounde yesterday, the Director General of Elections, Dr. Essousse Erik, formally handed over a package of candidacy files to the President of the Electoral Board, Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe, marking the start of the crucial review phase. “I solemnly submit the package of files to the President of the Electoral Board,” Dr. Essousse declared, as he presented the documents of 82 presidential hopefuls who submitted applications before the deadline.
The opening of ELECAM’s second statutory “Session as of Right” set the stage for what the Board President described as a “sensitive and decisive” phase in the electoral calendar. In his remarks, Dr. Enow urged Electoral Board members to examine each application with objectivity, rigor, and full adherence to the law. “This session is not only a legal requirement; it is a turning point in the democratic process.
Our role is to uphold the credibility of this election,” Dr. Enow said. He reminded the Board that only candidates who meet the requirements of the Electoral Code would be validated. These include criteria related to age, citizenship, legal standing, and the number of endorsements required. Dr. Enow also emphasized the need for confidentiality, warning members against leaking any details of the ongoing deliberations.
He described confidentiality as a cornerstone of electoral trust, stressing that all members are bound by oath to protect the integrity of the process. To carry out the screening, the Electoral Board has adopted a clear and transparent methodology, designed to ensure consistency in judgment and full legal compliance. Each file will be thoroughly examined for completeness and authenticity before a final list of approved candidates is published. While all qualified candidates will move forward in the race, those who do not meet the legal criteria will be disqualified, in line with the electoral code.
However, the law provides an opportunity for recourse: disqualified applicants have two days to appeal their rejection before the Constitutional Council, which will rule on their eligibility. This second statutory session follows the official close of candidacy submissions for the October 12 presidential election, which is expected to be one of the most consequential in recent years. With 82 hopefuls, including political veterans, independents, and new entrants, the race promises a competitive and dynamic political landscape.
ELECAM’s role now shifts from registration to regulation, and much of the public attention is focused on how the institution will manage the scrutiny phase. The transparency, fairness, and professionalism of this process will be critical in shaping public confidence ahead of voting day. As the scrutiny continues behind closed doors, Cameroonians at home and abroad watch with keen interest. For many, this is not just a bureaucratic procedure, it is a test of Cameroon’s democratic resilience and a chance to reaffirm faith in its institutions. The Electoral Board is expected to complete the scrutiny process and publish the official list of candidates in the coming days.
