Latest news with #candidacy
Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Cameroon bars main challenger to longtime leader from presidential race
Cameroon's electoral commission has rejected the candidacy of Maurice Kamto, President Paul Biya's main rival, in an upcoming presidential election, fuelling fears of unrest and increasing the likelihood of another win for the incumbent, who has led for decades. The chief of the electoral commission, ELECAM, announced the decision in a news conference on Saturday when he read out a list of 13 approved candidates, which did not include Kamto. No reasons were given for the exclusion, and those not listed have two days to appeal the decision. Kamto, 71, who had officially submitted his candidacy last week, was considered Biya's strongest rival in past elections. He came second during the last presidential election in 2018 with 14 percent of the vote, while Biya, who appears on the electoral list, cruised to victory with more than 70 percent in an election marred by allegations of fraud and a low voter turnout. Kamto sought to run as the candidate for the communist African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) party. In the 2018 election, Kamto stood for his own party, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), which he established in 2012. For this year's election, Kamto had been nominated by MANIDEM. Fears of protests and unrest surged around Saturday's release of the list of approved candidates. Eighty-three names had been put forward to the electoral council. Security forces were deployed around the ELECAM headquarters and along major roads in the capital, Yaounde, and in Douala, the economic hub. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security had warned on Friday that the announcement could trigger protests in the capital. The definitive list of candidates will be announced in the coming days after any challenges to the provisional list are considered. Biya, 92, the world's oldest serving head of state, said last month he would seek re-election on October 12 despite rumours that his health is failing. He has been in power since 1982, nearly half his lifetime. Biya's rule has left a lasting impact on Cameroon. His government has faced various challenges, including allegations of corruption and a deadly secessionist conflict in the nation's English-speaking provinces that has forced thousands out of school. Among the candidates also approved to run in the election are former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, an ally of Biya's for nearly 30 years, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who resigned as employment minister in early June to submit his candidacy.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Cameroon Election Board Bars Kamto, Key Contender to Paul Biya
Maurice Kamto, the main challenger to President Paul Biya in Cameroon's 2018 election, won't be permitted to contest the next ballot on Oct. 12 after his candidacy was rejected by the country's election board. Kamto, 71, failed to comply with legal requirements by accepting a nomination from the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, which boycotted legislative and municipal elections in 2020 and — under Section 121 of the electoral code — is no longer eligible to put forward a candidate, Elections Cameroon, or ELECAM, said on Saturday.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Cameroon elections body rejects candidacy of president's main rival
YAOUNDE, July 26 (Reuters) - Cameroon's electoral commission has rejected the candidacy of Maurice Kamto, the main rival to President Paul Biya, in an upcoming presidential election, raising the risks of protests and the likelihood of another win for the incumbent. The chief of the electoral commission, ELECAM, announced the decision in a press conference on Saturday when he read out a list of 13 approved candidates which did not include Kamto. No reasons were given. Those not listed have two days to appeal. Biya, 92, has been in power for 43 years and is the world's oldest-serving head of state. He announced his intention earlier this month to seek re-election in the October 12 vote. Kamto had come in second place with 14% of the vote in the last election in 2018, which Biya won by a landslide amid allegations of fraud. "In case of the rejection of certain candidates in this election, it is possible there will be protests in the centre of Yaounde and near the seat of ELECAM," the United Nations Department of Safety and Security said in a statement on Friday.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Douglas County District Court Clerk announces congressional campaign
The Douglas County District Court Clerk announced her candidacy for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Solve the daily Crossword
BreakingNews.ie
20-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Tony Holohan linked with presidential bid
Tony Holohan could be making a bid to enter the race to become the next President. It is reported the former chief medical officer has plans in progress to announce his candidacy. Advertisement The Irish Mail on Sunday quotes the Covid-era CMO as saying he could "neither confirm nor deny" if he was preparing to put his hat in the ring to replace Michael D Higgins at this time. Yesterday Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley suggested he may run for the Áras saying "somebody has to speak for the Irish people". Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae has ruled himself out of the running. In an interview with , former minister Ivan Yates said Mr Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race. However, when this was put to him on RTÉ radio on Saturday, Mr Healy-Rae said he was focused on his role as a TD for Kerry.
