Cameroon’s prominent opposition leader Maurice Kamto has been barred from contesting in the country’s upcoming presidential election scheduled for 12 October.

The electoral commission, Elecam, approved only 13 out of 83 submitted applications, with Kamto notably missing from the final list.

Kamto, who came second in the contested 2018 election marred by fraud allegations, has not yet issued a public statement regarding his disqualification.

According to Elecam, Kamto was excluded due to a conflict within the Manidem party, under which he had registered.

Despite being officially endorsed by the party’s leadership, a rival faction submitted a separate application under the same party banner. The dual submissions reportedly led to his disqualification.

Manidem party president Anicet Ekane has denounced Kamto’s exclusion as “arbitrary and provocative,” calling for calm among supporters.

“We call on all Cameroonians to show calm and restraint because for the moment, it is only an offside goal. This tackle from behind must be sanctioned by the Constitutional Council, which we will turn to,” Ekane said.

Disqualified candidates have two days to file appeals before the Constitutional Council.

Kamto previously ran under the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) in 2018.

However, the CRM was barred from endorsing any candidate in 2024, due to its lack of elected representatives in parliament or local government, prompting Kamto to align himself with Manidem, a party that meets the electoral threshold.

President Paul Biya, aged 92 and the world’s oldest sitting president, is among the cleared candidates and will seek an eighth term in office.

In power since 1982, Biya has dismissed calls to step down, stating he still has more to offer the nation despite his four-decade rule.

Among Biya’s challengers are two former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari both hailing from the vote-rich northern region.

Other approved candidates include anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna, Social Democratic Front (SDF) leader Joshua Osih, and outspoken MP Cabral Libii.

Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, Mayor of Foumban, is the sole female contender in the race.

The upcoming election is expected to be closely watched, with Kamto’s exclusion likely to spark legal battles and renewed concerns over the credibility of Cameroon’s electoral process.