Cameroon’s 2025 Presidential Race Draws Record 81 Candidates as ELECAM Closes Filing — See Who’s Running

Opposition groups view the surge as proof of public impatience with a 43‑year status quo. The ruling CPDM calls it “crowd‑marketing” by fringe parties. Whatever the motive, each name must now survive scrutiny by the Constitutional Council, which has 15 days to confirm or reject dossiers.

Key rules in play
• A candidate must be a Cameroonian by origin, at least 35 years old, and resident in the country for the past twelve months.
• Investment by a political party or 300 signatures from elected officials is mandatory.
• A non‑refundable deposit of 30 million FCFA is paid up‑front; it is reimbursed only to those who earn at least ten percent of the national vote.

Strategic filings
Maurice Kamto’s decision to resign from the MRC, join MANIDEM and file under that label is widely viewed as a tactical response to administrative pressure aimed at his former party. MANIDEM leader Anicet Ekane called the alliance “a higher duty to the nation.” Meanwhile, CPDM minister Grégoire Owona dismissed Kamto’s move as divisive, even as cracks appeared inside his own camp: long‑time RDPC deputy NJIKEU Hortense resigned this week, accusing party leaders of deafness to grassroots concerns.

Below is ELECAM’s full preliminary list. Dates indicate when each dossier was stamped at the Directorate‑General of Elections.

1. Kisob Bertin – Cameroon Party for Social Justice (CPSJ) – 12 Jul

2. Muna Akere Tabeng – Univers – 16 Jul

3. Kamgan‑Tan Eric – Libération Démocratique pour le Changement Républicain Camerounais (LDCRC) – 16 Jul

4. Zeh Amvene Geneviève – Independent – 16 Jul

5. Gwet Jean – Mouvement Patriotique pour le Changement du Cameroun (MPCC) – 16 Jul

6. Bouhga Hagbe – Mouvement Citoyen National Camerounais (MCNC) – 17 Jul

7. Djaouro Ruben – Parti National des Patriotes Camerounais (PNPC) – 17 Jul

8. Paul Biya – Rassemblement Démocratique du Peuple Camerounais (RDPC) – 17 Jul

9. Osih Joshua – Social Democratic Front (SDF) – 17 Jul

10. Libii Li Ngué Cabral – Parti Camerounais pour la Réconciliation Nationale (PCRN) – 17 Jul

11. Bello Bouba Maigari – Union Nationale pour la Démocratie et le Progrès (UNDP) – 18 Jul

12. Kamto Maurice – Mouvement Africain pour la Nouvelle Indépendance et la Démocratie (MANIDEM) – 18 Jul

13. Onana Léon Theiler – RDPC – 18 Jul

14. Choupo Kamgaing Hervé – Independent – 18 Jul

15. Tuile Tuile Roger – Debout le Cameroun – 18 Jul

16. Tomaïno Ndam Njoya – Union Démocratique du Cameroun (UDC) – 18 Jul

17. Simo Mambou Isaac Merlin – Union des Populations Africaines (UPA) – 18 Jul

18. Issa Tchiroma Bakary – Front pour le Salut National du Cameroun (FSNC) – 18 Jul

19. Hie Cyriaques Clément – Independent – 18 Jul

20. Eliane Véronique Eboutou – PNACC – 18 Jul

21. Dibamou André Marie – Jeunesse Démocratique du Cameroun (JDC) – 18 Jul

22. Ateki Seta Caxton – Parti de l’Alliance Libérale (PAL) – 18 Jul

23. Shewa David Dameul – Mouvement Patriotique pour un Cameroun Nouveau (MPCN) – 18 Jul

24. Din Din Ferdinand – Les Partisans – 18 Jul

25. Mbengono Zouame épse Ndzîe Ngono Guyleine – Independent – 18 Jul

26. Reem Benjamin – Independent – 19 Jul

27. Eyenga Nkouomo Jean‑Jacques – Independent – 19 Jul

28. Nkainmbi Promise Nkainmbi – Réconciliation Démocratique du Cameroun Uni – 19 Jul

29. Dzipan Hilaire Marcaire – Mouvement Progressiste (MP) – 20 Jul

30. Kwemo Pierre – Union des Mouvements Socialistes (UMS) – 20 Jul

31. Mfoula Mfoula Cedric Gaël – Independent – 20 Jul

32. Matomba Serge Espoir – Peuple Uni pour la Rénovation Sociale (PURS) – 21 Jul

33. Ndemannou Antoine de Padoue – RDPF‑KUMSZE – 21 Jul

34. Ondoa Omgba Alfred – Independent – 21 Jul

35. Ndjamo Djamen Celestin – APAR – 21 Jul

36. Daloutou Hamada – Independent – 21 Jul

37. Ndim Jacob Ngong – Independent – 21 Jul

38. Fouda Essomba Vincent Sosthène – MCPSA – 21 Jul

39. Teuabo André – Parti Socialiste Populaire Camerounais (PSPC) – 21 Jul

40. Noutcha Fosso Eric Ghislain – Independent – 21 Jul

41. Abdou Wassou – PRUP – 21 Jul

42. Fomo Ngota Jean‑Marie – Renaissance Sociale Démocratique du Cameroun (RSDC) – 21 Jul

43. Ngwese Ekosso Prince Michael – USDP – 21 Jul

44. Tchawou Ngankam Honoré – Independent – 21 Jul

45. Kamchi Kamtchi Paul Alain – Independent – 21 Jul

46. Ngangue Kamgang Magloire – UCGP – 21 Jul

47. Nguedam Albert – MDC – 21 Jul

48. Mvondo Marcel – Independent – 21 Jul

49. Ndassa Mounchili Arouna – PNCE – 21 Jul

50. Mouafo Gabriel – RGPC – 21 Jul

51. Yamb Ntimba Dominique – UPC – 21 Jul

52. Iyodi Hiram Samuel – FDC – 21 Jul

53. Nsoumb Silas – PRP – 21 Jul

54. Tobolbai Richard – Independent – 21 Jul

55. Bindowo Oumga – Independent – 21 Jul

56. Befolo Essono Martine Danielle – MPEC – 21 Jul

57. Yie Abdouramani – MOREP – 21 Jul

58. Abdouraman Hamadou Babba – UPC – 21 Jul

59. Djapa Charly – PSEC – 21 Jul

60. Bouba Michel – RRDC – 21 Jul

61. Aboubakar Kamaldine Bello Yaya – Independent – 21 Jul

62. Tonleu Matsa Jacques Marius – Independent – 21 Jul

63. Kalinga Kassaboh Dieudonné – Parti Simple – 21 Jul

64. Yem Eboko Pierre Joseph – MPCN – 21 Jul

65. Ango Mfou’ou David Boris – Independent – 21 Jul

66. Membouet Chantale Adélaïde – Univers – 21 Jul

67. Mbah Arnaud Miryl – Independent – 21 Jul

68. Babio Ngono – La Ligue Démocrate – 21 Jul

69. Ongmakagne Heu Gérardine – Independent – 21 Jul

70. Fowe Alain Thierry – Independent – 21 Jul

71. Bahebeck Jean – UPC – 21 Jul

72. Yebga Dieudonné – MANIDEM – 21 Jul

73. Mbolong Etienne – Independent – 21 Jul

74. Aboubakary Sidiki – MPSC – 21 Jul

75. Batoua Silas – Independent – 21 Jul

76. Sali Naiwouodou Baba – Independent – 21 Jul

77. Mohamadou Laminoud Adamou – Independent – 21 Jul

78. Egono Valentin – Union Camerounaise pour la Démocratie et l’Innovation – 21 Jul

79. Kalefack Jacob – RPDC – 21 Jul

80. Bambe Gourandi Jean Baptiste – Mouvement Social du Cameroun (MSC) – 21 Jul

81. Bessiping – RFERE – 21 Jul

The Constitutional Council’s verdict is expected by mid‑August. Until then, the 2025 campaign remains a fluid contest between an ageing incumbent, a multitude of challengers, and an electorate yearning for credible change.