Cameroonian presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has rejected the electoral outcome that declared the incumbent President Paul Biya the winner of the October 12, 2025 election.

Biya, the world's oldest head of state, extended his more than four-decade rule, securing an eighth term, the Constitutional Council announced on Monday.

The 92-year-old president was re-elected with 53.7% of the vote in the central African country, according to official results announced by the council, while former government minister Tchiroma came second with 35.2%.

Tchiroma quickly denounced the announcement of Biya's win, telling AFP that "we won unequivocally." Citing his own tally, he claimed to have won 54.8% of the vote against 31.3% for Biya. However, Tchiroma did not provide proof for his claim.

Tensions mount

Tchiroma had claimed victory against the incumbent two days after the October 12 election, and called for demonstrations.

Tensions mounted outside his home in the northern city of Garoua.

Voter turnout stood at 46.3%, according to the official results announced 15 days after the election.

Cabral Libii came in third place with 3.4%, followed by Bello Bouba Maigari with 2.5%, and Hermine Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the only woman candidate, with 1.7%. The other eight candidates each received less than 1% of the vote.

Heavy police presence

From the early hours of Monday morning, police and security officials were stationed at major intersections and sensitive sites across the capital Yaounde.

Police said they intended to "ensure the security of the electoral process and prevent any unrest."

Many shops and gas stations were shuttered for fear of clashes, while traffic remained unusually light.

Biya is only the second person to lead Cameroon since independence from France in 1960.