Judges in Cameroon have dismissed calls for the partial or total cancellation of the heavily disputed presidential election, announcing they will reveal the official results on Monday.
Major cities in the country have been rocked by protests, with opposition supporters alleging that the October 12 poll was marred by irregularities, including ballot-stuffing.
The Constitutional Council judges dismissed eight petitions, citing insufficient evidence of irregularities or a lack of jurisdiction to annul results.
Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has proclaimed himself the winner, a claim strongly rejected by allies of 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who is seeking another seven-year term.
Biya has been in power for 43 years and only addressed one campaign rally prior to the election.
Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesman who broke ranks with Biya, chose to declare himself the 'legal and legitimate president' rather than file complaints with the Constitutional Council, whose judges were appointed by Biya.
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In a video statement, Bakary claimed he secured approximately 55% of the vote based on returns representing 80% of the electorate.
He warned that if the Constitutional Council proclaims inaccurate results, it would be complicit in a breach of trust, and that the people may have to 'take their destiny into their own hands.'
Despite facing significant allegations of illegitimacy, Biya's ruling party has dismissed Bakary's claims, asserting that only the Constitutional Council possesses the authority to proclaim official results.
The influential Catholic Church has urged the judges to ensure their verdict reflects the voters' will, amidst growing tensions that have heightened fears of post-electoral violence in a country already affected by separatist conflicts and insurgency in other regions.
