Cameroonian opposition leader Maurice Kamto, who was barred from participating in the October 12 presidential election, has called for respect for the people’s choice and urged authorities to exercise restraint as tensions escalate over the vote count and growing allegations of electoral fraud.
In a statement shared on his official social media platforms and verified by APA, Kamto appealed for the “respect of the people’s verdict”, cautioning against any attempt to manipulate the results as the National Vote Counting Commission begins tallying the ballots.
“The official results must reflect the choice of the Cameroonian people, freely expressed at the ballot box,” Kamto asserted, emphasizing the importance of transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
He warned that the political climate has become “dangerously volatile” since election day, citing “reprehensible acts and behaviours” that could undermine the legitimacy of the final outcome.
Kamto further cautioned against potential violent confrontations among citizens at a time when Cameroon is already battling multiple crises, including poverty, armed conflicts in the Northwest and Southwest regions, and persistent Boko Haram attacks in the Far North.
The opposition leader urged security forces and state authorities to act with “discernment and maximum restraint,” stressing that citizens peacefully expressing their opinions should not be treated as criminals.
“Those who truly threaten public order are the ones seeking to distort the voice of the people,” he said, adding that Cameroon, as a “shared nation,” must not succumb to divisions that could push it “deeper into the abyss of history.”
On Thursday, the Electoral Council confirmed the formation of the 33-member National Vote Counting Commission, chaired by Essombe Emile of the Constitutional Council. The commission comprises magistrates, government representatives, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) officials, and delegates from participating political parties.
However, the post-election atmosphere remains tense. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, leader of the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC), who has also claimed victory over long-serving President Paul Biya (in power since 1982), alleged that authorities were intimidating his regional representatives, asserting that he had secured “over 80% of the votes.”
In response, Minister of Territorial Administration Atanga Nji Paul dismissed the allegations as “fraudulent and anti-republican,” reiterating that only the Constitutional Council is legally empowered to announce the official results, which are expected by October 26.
Source:Africa Publicity
