By Njodzeka Kernyuy
The Popular Action Party (PAP) has become the latest political body in Cameroon to congratulate opposition leader, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who has claimed victory in the October 12 presidential election.
The PAP has urged election-related institutions to respect the sovereign will of the people following Sunday’s presidential election.
In a statement signed by its president, Njong Denis, PAP said the Constitutional Council, ELECAM, and the Ministry of Territorial Administration should seize this “unique and singular chance.”
The party urged them, irrespective of the ultimate direction of the October 12th presidential election results, to not only respect the sovereign will expressed through the ballot but also “to write their names in the sands of time in bold, indelible marks of honour and integrity.”
The PAP is one of the parties that endorsed Barrister Akere Muna, the presidential candidate for UNIVERS, who later formed a coalition with Bello Bouba Maigari of the UNDP.
On Monday, Akere Muna urged the incumbent, President Paul Biya—the world’s oldest leader—to concede defeat to Issa Tchiroma Bakary, his former ally and now opposition leader.
However, the winner will be officially proclaimed by the Constitutional Council within 15 days from the closing of the polls.
Despite the awaited official proclamation, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, presidential candidate of the Cameroon National Salvation Front, has already declared victory.
In a statement on Tuesday, Issa Tchiroma urged the incumbent to “respect the truth from the ballot box” while expressing deep appreciation to the people who voted for him.
Mr. Tchiroma has said he will be releasing results by region.
The Cameroon government has not yet released a statement following Tchiroma’s declaration.
However, Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji had previously warned those circulating results online, stating that “only the constitutional council has the right to declare results.”
The electoral code in Cameroon allows for the release of results at local polling units upon the closure of polls.
But for PAP, now is the time to unequivocally respect this law, the integrity of the process, and, above all, the choice of the people.
“Any attempt at manipulation, fraud, or subversion of the results will not only violate our foundational principles but could also instigate an already impatient population whose democratic desires have been clearly articulated,” said Njong Denis.
