Cameroon’s electoral commission, ELECAM, has rejected the candidacy of Maurice Kamto, the main rival to President Paul Biya, in the upcoming presidential election.
The decision was announced in a press conference on Saturday, where ELECAM’s chief read out a list of 13 approved candidates that did not include Kamto’s name.
No reasons were given for the rejection, but candidates have two days to appeal.
The move raises the risks of protests and increases the likelihood of another win for the incumbent president, who has been in power for 43 years.
Kamto, who came in second place with 14% of the vote in the last election in 2018, is expected to challenge the decision.
The United Nations Department of Safety and Security has warned of possible protests in Yaounde, the capital city, if certain candidates are rejected.
