Cameroon Decides 2025: Key dates you should know

🔊 For visually impaired users, listen to this article

Cameroon 2025 Presidential Poll: Key Legal Dates and Electoral Timeline Unpacked

As Cameroon looks ahead to its next presidential election scheduled for later this year, legal timelines enshrined in the country’s Electoral Code provide clarity on when the election is expected to take place. Given that President Paul Biya was sworn in on 6 November 2018, his seven-year mandate is set to expire on 6 November 2025. This article analyses the relevant legal provisions to highlight key dates and activities leading to the vote.

Expiry of the Current Mandate

According to Section 116(1) of the Electoral Code:
“The President of the Republic shall be elected for a term of office of seven (7) years...”

With the current term having begun on 6 November 2018, the legal expiry date of President Biya’s mandate is: 6 November 2025.

When Should the Election Take Place?

Section 116(3) of the Electoral Code stipulates:
“Voting shall take place no less than twenty (20) days and no more than fifty (50) days before the expiry of the term of office of the incumbent President of the Republic.”

• Earliest permissible election date: 17 September 2025
• Latest permissible election date: 17 October 2025

Section 86(3) further specifies that polling shall occur on a Sunday or public holiday. Possible Sundays in that timeframe include:

• 21 September 2025
• 28 September 2025
• 5 October 2025
• 12 October 2025

Among these, 5 October or 12 October 2025 are the most plausible dates for the election.

When Should the Electorate Be Convened?

Section 86(2) provides:
“No less than ninety (90) days shall elapse between the date of publication of the convening decree and the day of election.”

Assuming an election date of Sunday, 12 October 2025, the decree must be published by 14 July 2025.

Summary of Key Dates

Event	Legal Reference	Date / Range
End of Current Mandate	Section 116(1)	6 November 2025
Possible Election Window	Section 116(3)	17 Sept – 17 Oct 2025
Likely Polling Dates (Sundays)	Section 86(3)	21 Sept, 28 Sept, 5 Oct, 12 Oct
Latest Date to Convene Electors	Section 86(2)	14 July 2025
Polling Day Duration	Section 86(3)	One day (Sunday/public holiday)

Conclusion

If the constitutional and electoral provisions are adhered to, Cameroonians can expect to vote for their next president on a Sunday between 21 September and 12 October 2025. A presidential decree to convene the electorate must be issued by 14 July 2025, marking the formal start of the electoral process.

Stay connected with Hilltopvoices.com Cameroon Decides 2025 for verified and timely updates on Cameroon’s 2025 Presidential Election.