2011 Cameroonian presidential election explained

Country:Cameroon
Type:presidential
Previous Election:2004 Cameroonian presidential election
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2018 Cameroonian presidential election
Next Year:2018
Election Date:9 October 2011
Registered:7,251,651
Turnout:68.28%
Nominee1:Paul Biya
Image1:Paul Biya 2014.png
Party1:Cameroon People's Democratic Movement
Popular Vote1:3,772,527
Percentage1:77.99%
Nominee2:John Fru Ndi
Party2:Social Democratic Front (Cameroon)
Popular Vote2:518,175
Percentage2:10.71%
President
Before Election:Paul Biya
Before Party:Cameroon People's Democratic Movement
After Election:Paul Biya
After Party:Cameroon People's Democratic Movement

Presidential elections were held in Cameroon on 9 October 2011. Incumbent President Paul Biya stood for another term after a constitutional amendment passed in 2008 eliminated term limits. Biya was re-elected with 78% of the vote.

Background

Some opposition demands regarding voting rights for the diaspora were met before the election, when lawmakers passed an amendment to the electoral law in July 2011.[1]

Candidates

Long-time opposition leader John Fru Ndi also stood as a candidate in the election.[2] [3] Fifty other people submitted paperwork to ELECAM, the electoral commission, seeking to stand as presidential candidates.[3] Observers viewed the opposition as anemic and expected Biya to easily win re-election.[4]

Daniel Soh Fone of the United Socialist Party withdrew before the election, giving his support to Biya.[5]

Conduct

The United States Ambassador to Cameroon, Robert P. Jackson and former colonial power France have criticized the election, citing irregularities.[6] Several political parties claimed they would challenge the results.[7]

The mission Chief of the African Union's Observer Mission in Cameroon, former Prime Minister of Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta stated in his report that the African Union judges found the vote to be "free, transparent and credible".[8] [9] La Francophonie and the Commonwealth also praised the election. Fred Mitchell, former Foreign Minister of The Bahamas, led the Commonwealth mission to Cameroon; he said that there were no signs that people were coerced to vote and the election was conducted peacefully.[10]

Aftermath

Biya was sworn in for another term as president in a ceremony held at the National Assembly on 3 November.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Scott Stearns, Some diaspora cleared to cast ballots in Cameroon election VOA News, 13 July 2011
  2. https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jy1kT_whckvzeu8Yc4farl7rwdeA?docId=CNG.62f0d0e2a4d19042c8686a2fcf1f2040.241 "Cameroon's Biya to seek re-election in October polls"
  3. http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/09/05/cameroon-leader-51-others-seek-presidency/ "Casalammmeroon leader, 51 others seek presidency"
  4. Anne Look, "Cameroon's longtime leader to seek re-election in October", VOA News, 5 September 2011.
  5. Web site: Cameroon: As polling continues, a candidate gives Biya support . WADR . 9 October 2011 . 6 November 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120309113513/http://www.wadr.org/en/site/news_en/2158/Cameroon-As-polling-continues-a-candidate-gives-Biya-support.htm . 9 March 2012 . dead .
  6. Web site: Turnout Low in Cameroon Presidential Poll . Voice of America . 8 October 2011 . 31 October 2012.
  7. Web site: Presidential elections in Cameroon: claims of irregularities | Radio Netherlands Worldwide . https://archive.today/20120908223952/http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/presidential-elections-cameroon-claims-irregularities . dead . 8 September 2012 . Rnw.nl . 10 October 2011 . 6 November 2011 .
  8. Web site: Pius Lukong . Cameroon's President Biya Wins Vote, Extending 29-Year Rule . https://web.archive.org/web/20111026042004/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-10-21/cameroon-s-president-biya-wins-vote-extending-29-year-rule.html . dead . 26 October 2011 . Bloomberg News . 21 October 2011 . 31 October 2012.
  9. Web site: Fon Mndere . Inch'Allah Opposition delivers Cameroon to Biya on a Platter of silver . Afrik-News . 14 October 2011 . 31 October 2012 . 3 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190803015316/http://www.afrik-news.com/article19242.html . live .
  10. Web site: Cameroon's Polls: Praised by International Observers; Condemned by Opposition . Voanews.com . 16 October 2011 . 6 November 2011 . 19 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120119161255/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/west/Cameroons-Polls--Praised-by-International-Observers-Condemned-by-Opposition-131956268.html . live .
  11. https://archive.today/20120731184330/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i9zSz_JKivAtpq_472JS92UZsFKw?docId=CNG.118b849be09553f14492ba9a716d016b.471 "Biya sworn in again vowing to 'transform' Cameroon"

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