With the Constitutional Council having cleared the field to 12 potential presidential contenders, the political battle now moves to the people and the numbers are daunting.
According to the latest figures released by the Chairperson of the Electoral Board of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), Dr Enow Abrams Egbe, the provisional voter register stands at 8,219,210 voters. This is an increase of 373,588 compared to 7,845,622 in December 2024, representing a growth of 4.76% in just six months.
Who are these voters?
- Men: 4,429,351 (53.9%) – grew faster than women with a 5.26% increase.
- Women: 3,789,859 (46.1%) – up 4.18%.
- Youths: Estimated over one-third of the roll, likely higher than the 2.6 million recorded in December 2024.
- Regional heavyweights: Centre, Littoral, and Far North still account for nearly half of all voters.
These numbers shape the battlefield. Every candidate must adapt strategies to appeal across gender, age, and regional divides.
Analysis: A bigger, more complex electorate
- The Youth Factor – Young voters have swelled in number due to targeted registration drives. Candidates who connect with youth aspirations on jobs, education, and peace will gain an edge.
- Urban Dominance – Major cities in Centre and Littoral remain critical. The urban voter’s concerns like cost of living, security, infrastructure will weigh heavily on campaigns.
- Rural Reach Still Crucial – Far North and North remain large voter reservoirs, with issues of agriculture, drought, and development shaping rural preferences.
- Logistics and Turnout – With over 8.2 million voters and just over 30,000 polling stations, voter congestion on election day is a risk unless ELECAM expands facilities.
Impact: What this means for the race
- No Easy Majorities – With more voters and regional diversity, winning will require broad national appeal rather than relying on strongholds.
- Intense Ground Campaigns – Door-to-door mobilisation, rallies, and grassroots networking will be decisive.
- Shifting Electoral Maps – If growth in the roll is uneven, some candidates could gain an advantage in swing regions.
- Heightened Competition – More registered voters means a bigger pool to persuade, but also a higher threshold to secure a majority.
The Constitutional Council’s clearance of 12 names sets the stage for a wide-open contest. In the coming weeks, these contenders will need not only to sell their vision for Cameroon but also to navigate one of the largest and most complex electorates in the nation’s history.
By Hilltopvoices Newsroom
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
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