Voting is underway in Cameroon today as citizens choose their next president in a closely watched election. The vote could extend President Paul Biya’s decades-long rule, as the 92-year-old leader seeks an eighth consecutive term after more than 43 years in power.
Biya faces 11 challengers, but analysts say a divided opposition gives him a strong advantage. His main rival, Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, was barred from the race in August for what authorities described as “non-compliance with legal requirements.” The decision drew criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the government of restricting competition.
The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) remains dominant across key state institutions, while Biya’s campaign has focused on promises of stability and continuity. Despite his age and long absence from the public eye, he appeared at a rally in Maroua earlier this week, declaring that his “determination to serve the people remains intact.”
Security concerns are high in the country’s two English-speaking regions, the Northwest and Southwest, where separatist groups continue to call for “ghost town” shutdowns. The Anglophone crisis, rooted in complaints of marginalization by the French-speaking majority, has led to years of violence and displacement. Civil society groups have urged both the government and armed groups to ensure citizens can vote safely.
Cameroon’s presidential election operates under a single-round, first-past-the-post system, meaning the candidate with the most votes wins. More than eight million voters are registered, with over 30,000 polling stations set up across the country and in 44 diplomatic missions abroad. The independent electoral body, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), has faced criticism for alleged bias toward the ruling party due to the appointment of its leadership by the presidency.
Biya, the world’s oldest and longest-serving elected head of state, first assumed power in 1982 and has survived multiple political crises and coup attempts. The removal of term limits in 2008 allowed him to run indefinitely, a move that sparked protests but ultimately consolidated his control.
The election takes place amid growing frustration over economic stagnation, corruption, and youth unemployment. Many Cameroonians, both at home and abroad, had hoped Biya would step down, but the lack of unity among opposition groups weakened their challenge.
Observers warn that low turnout could affect results, particularly in conflict-hit areas where fear and insecurity remain high.
For now, all eyes are on whether Cameroon’s electorate will opt for change or continue under the leadership of a man who has ruled since before most voters were born.