Eight days after Cameroon’s presidential election, the National Vote Counting Commission released provisional results pointing to the victory of incumbent president Paul Biya.
The Commission said Biya came first with over 53% of the votes, overtaking his main opponent, Issa Tchiroma Bakary at 35%.
In a statement, Issa Tchiroma says the preliminary results are disputed. “I want to say this with gravity and simplicity: the people have made their choice. And that choice must be respected,” he said
On Sunday night, he started releasing his own tally which placed him in first place with about 60% of the votes.
According to the statement, Tchiroma says the official figures are inaccurate and calls for greater transparency as the controversy has stirred tensions in Cameroon.
Demonstrations erupted across the country in recent days, with some protesters accusing authorities of electoral fraud.
In several major cities, protests ended in clashes with security forces and directed Constitutional Council to publish official results by 26 October.
If the provisional results are validated, the outcome would see Paul Biya extend his 42-year rule at the helm of Cameroon.
At 92 years old, Biya is already one of the longest-serving leaders in Africa.
