Cameroon’s Constitutional Council is expected to announce the official outcome of the election later on Monday amid heightened political tensions, according to Reuters.
President Paul Biya, who has ruled the Central African nation since 1982, faces growing public discontent over economic stagnation, corruption, and security crises in the country.
Meanwhile, opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma claimed victory, saying he won 54.8 percent of the vote against Biya’s 31.3 percent, and urged Cameroonians to resist any “falsified and distorted results” announced by the Constitutional Council.
The Cameroonian government has dismissed allegations of irregularities, calling on citizens to remain calm and await the official results.
Tensions have been high since partial results published by local media suggested that Biya, 92, was on course to secure an eighth term in office.
Hundreds of supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma defied a government protest ban and took to the streets, claiming their candidate had defeated longtime President Paul Biya.
At least four people were killed on Sunday evening in Douala, Cameroon’s largest city, following violent clashes between police officers and opposition supporters protesting alleged electoral fraud.
Regional governor Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua confirmed that demonstrators also attacked police stations in Douala’s second and sixth districts.
