Judges in Cameroon have dismissed calls for the partial or total cancellation of the heavily disputed presidential election, announcing they will release the official results on Monday.
Major cities across the country have seen protests as opposition supporters allege that the October 12 poll was marred by irregularities, including accusations of ballot-stuffing.
The Constitutional Council judges rejected eight petitions, citing insufficient evidence or lack of jurisdiction to annul results.
Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared himself the winner, a claim rebuffed by the allies of 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who aims for another seven-year term.
President Biya has maintained his hold on power for 43 years and conducted only one campaign rally prior to the elections.
Issa Tchiroma Bakary, 76, a former government spokesperson, diverged from Biya to run for presidency, opting not to file complaints with the Council due to its judges' affiliations to Biya. Instead, he proclaims himself the 'legal and legitimate president.'
In a video statement, Tchiroma Bakary claimed to have won the election with 55% of the vote, based on returns he suggests represent 80% of the electorate.
He warns that if the Constitutional Council releases falsified results, it will act as accomplices in a breach of public trust. The opposition could face backlash, as tensions rise amid fears of post-election violence exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in Anglophone regions and the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North.
The influential Catholic Church in Cameroon urged judges to ensure their verdicts reflect the will of the voters, amidst a climate fraught with uncertainty and unrest.
