Cameroon Decides 2025
Understanding the legal and procedural roadmap after the 21 July 2025 deadline
1. Reception and Acknowledgement of Files
Each candidate receives a receipt confirming the submission of their candidacy file. This is not an approval, but a confirmation that the file was submitted before the deadline.
2. Examination of Candidacies
ELECAM begins verifying the authenticity, eligibility, and completeness of each file in collaboration with national administrative and legal bodies.
3. Referral to the Constitutional Council
All candidacies are forwarded to the Constitutional Council, which is the sole authority on validation, publication and legal resolution.
4. Publication of the Provisional List
A provisional list is released. Candidates disqualified at this stage can appeal the decision.
5. Appeals and Legal Challenges
Rejected candidates have 48 hours to appeal. The Council has five days to rule definitively on each case.
6. Publication of the Final List
The Constitutional Council publishes the definitive list of approved candidates no later than 13 August 2025.
7. Start of Official Campaign
The campaign period runs from 27 September to 11 October 2025, ending at midnight before election day.
8. Election Preparation
ELECAM proceeds to print ballots, deploy materials, and organise civic education nationwide.
Summary Timeline
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Deadline for candidacies | 21 July 2025 |
| ELECAM reviews files | 22–26 July 2025 (est.) |
| Referral to Constitutional Council | Late July 2025 |
| Appeals against rejections | Within 48 hours |
| Final Council decision | Within 5 days |
| Final candidate list published | By 13 August 2025 |
| Official campaign begins | 27 September 2025 |
| Election day | 12 October 2025 |