From ELECAM’s 13 to today’s 12: Fact‑check & timeline

No.	Claim	Fact‑Check	Verdict
1	ELECAM approved 13 presidential candidates on 26 July 2025.	Out of ~83 applications, ELECAM validated only 13 names for the October poll.	✅ True
2	Only the Constitutional Council can alter ELECAM’s list.	The Council hears appeals and its rulings are final.	✅ True
3	35 petitions were filed after ELECAM’s publication.	Challenges came from rejected candidates and party actors contesting approved ones.	✅ True
4	Maurice Kamto was initially approved by ELECAM.	Kamto was never on ELECAM’s list; his appeal for reinstatement failed.	❌ False
5	Hilaire Marcaire Dzipan was approved but later removed.	ELECAM approved him; Constitutional Council struck him off after an internal party challenge.	✅ True
6	Party insiders can challenge their own party’s candidate.	Seen in Moullende vs. Dzipan case.	✅ True
7	Constitutional Council hearings are public.	Held at the Palais des Congrès with open media access.	✅ True
8	There’s another court of appeal after the Constitutional Council.	No further appeal exists; Council’s rulings are final.	❌ False
9	Candidate numbers can still drop before election day.	Technically yes, until 11 August deadline; unlikely now.	✅ True
10	This drop from 13 to 12 is an isolated case.	Part of a wider pattern of exclusions in 2025.	❌ False

Timeline: How the Number Changed

Date	Event	Impact on Candidate Count
26 July 2025	ELECAM publishes official list of 13 approved candidates.	13
27–31 July	35 pre‑election petitions filed with Constitutional Council.	13
4 August	Hearings begin at Palais des Congrès; several appeals dismissed.	13
5 August (Morning)	Constitutional Council rejects Kamto’s appeal.	Still 13 (Kamto was never on ELECAM list)
5 August (Afternoon)	Constitutional Council strikes Hilaire Marcaire Dzipan from Progressive Movement.	12
By 11 August	Final candidate list to be published under electoral code.	TBD