The field of approved presidential candidates for Cameroon’s 12 October 2025 election has been cut to 12, after the Constitutional Council upheld a challenge against the candidacy of Hilaire Marcaire Dzipan of the Progressive Movement (MP).
Dzipan’s candidacy, initially validated by the electoral body ELECAM, was challenged by Christianne Moullende, the party’s general coordinator. Following lengthy internal consultation, Council President Clément Atangana deferred the decision until the end of today’s hearing, after the rapporteur councillor recommended siding with Moullende’s request.
The ruling means Dzipan will not appear on the ballot, trimming the race to a dozen contenders.
This latest decision comes amid a wave of disqualifications and rejections. ELECAM had initially validated only 13 candidacies out of some 83 submitted before the 26 July deadline, prompting 35 appeals to the Constitutional Council. The Council must finalise and publish the official list by 11 August, as required under the electoral code.
Retained Candidates
Earlier today, the Council confirmed the rejection of veteran opposition leader Maurice Kamto, whose attempt to reinstate his candidacy under the MANIDEM banner was dismissed. That ruling has already triggered protests outside the Palais des Congrès and drawn sharp reactions from rights advocates questioning the credibility of the electoral process.
With each ruling, the pool of presidential hopefuls shrinks — and the political stakes for Cameroon’s democratic process grow ever higher.