Cameroon’s SDF contests candidacy fees for 2027 elections
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Actu Cameroun
The Social Democratic Front (SDF) is contesting fees charged for candidacy documents for the 7 February 2027 legislative and municipal elections. In a letter dated 12 November to Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), it demands that the documents be provided free of charge, as the Electoral Code requires, and cites a council in Yaoundé II where the mayor reportedly demanded 1,000 CFA francs in stamps, according to Actu Cameroun.
The Social Democratic Front (SDF), a Cameroonian opposition party, is asking Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) to remind it that the administrative documents required for candidacies in the 7 February 2027 legislative and municipal elections are free of charge. In a letter dated 12 November addressed to the director general of ELECAM, the party contests additional payments and formalities which, it says, are imposed by certain administrations.
The SDF cites in particular the Yaoundé II subdivisional council, where the mayor reportedly demanded a stamped application and two municipal stamps worth 500 CFA francs each to obtain birth certificate extracts for candidates. The party considers this requirement contrary to the free provision set out in Article 295 of the Electoral Code, according to Actu Cameroun.
The party asks ELECAM to publish a circular reminding of this rule and to refer the matter to the government departments responsible for territorial administration, justice and decentralisation. It also wants files to be accepted when a candidate provides proof of a request for a document that has gone unanswered. The SDF threatens to refer the matter to the competent courts and the Constitutional Council if there is no swift response.
This challenge comes as ELECAM has the 15 days granted to it to receive candidacies for the 7 February elections, according to the stage published on 10 November. On 12 November, Paul Biya had also set the RDPC’s candidate nominations for the poll.
