Catholic Bishops, members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, NEEC, have called on the Constitutional Council, the supreme organ that declares election results, to respect the choice of the people at the polls. They made the call in a press statement made public on October 19, 2025. The statement from the Catholic Bishops is coming ahead of the official proclamation of results by the Constitutional Council of the Presidential Election held on Sunday, October 12, 2025. It is also coming on the heels of the self-proclamation of one of the contestants, Issa Tchiroma, as winner of the polls, thus raising polemics in the national polity. Many from different walks of life have come up to condemn the self-proclamation of candidate Issa Tchiroma, referring to it as illegal and provocative.
However, the Catholic Bishops commended the peaceful atmosphere that characterised polling day, and the maturity exercised by most voters before and during voting. They argued that this peaceful atmosphere should reign and this should be guaranteed by the Constitutional Council by respecting the verdict of the polls. “Nothing should be changed by any authority involved in this exercise,” the Bishops wrote in their press statement. They appreciated Elections Cameroon, ELECAM for voter education, logistic provision and transparent management of ballot papers and boxes in the presence of political party representatives at polling stations. “The people left expressing hope that they will recognise themselves in the results that will be published by the Constitutional Council.”
The Bishops called on the Constitutional Council to act in truth and fairness. “Let us be truth-tellers – and the truth shall set you free.”
It is worthy to recall that the romance between the Catholic Church and the State hit the rocks prior to the 2025 elections. Some Catholic Bishops were very virulent in their declaration against the state machinery, which they accused of being inefficient, resulting to the suffering of the people. Even an invitation extended to the Catholic Bishops by the state house was not largely adhered to by all the prelates. The Bishops have always come out in times of crisis to express their views about burning issues in Cameroon.
Although many observers have seen the Bishop’s press release as not strong enough, others have seen it as a strong warning to the election management authorities. The Catholic Bishops ended their press statement by calling for peace and reconciliation. “We pray for peace, stability, and the emergence of a stronger commitment from all, thanks to the contributions of millions of Cameroonians through their daily work and love for the country.”
