Minister Atanga Nji flanked by administrative authorities of the center region
Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji Paul,has called political parties to obey the laws of the republic during and after the October 12 polls, warning that those who will not be satisfied with the results after the elections should follow the right legal measures for their complaints and not on the streets.
He pointed out that the strength of each political party in the race is well known and parties without a national representation cannot dream of winning.
“If you have political representation in five divisions out of 58, you don’t expect to win an election. If your political party is represented in 3 divisions out of 58 you don’t expect to win so it is important for each and everyone to know what is at stake and to be responsible in public pronouncement especially to all the candidates” Minister Atanga Nji said during a security meeting in Bertoua on September 22nd, 2025.
The Minister was speaking in a security meeting which was attended by the Governor of the East Region, Gregoire Mvogo, Senior Divisional Officers, Divisional Officers in the East Region and the East Regional Delegate of ELECAM.
Addressing the security evaluation meeting, the MINAT boss said from information given to him by the Governor, he could say the security situation in the East is under control. However, he called on both administrative and security officials to remain vigilant and ensure maximum security and peace before, during and after the October 12 Presidential election. He reiterated that ELECAM is an independent body organising elections, but administrative and security officials are called upon to accompany ELECAM in their task in order to ensure that electoral material is delivered and secured all over the national territory.
The security meeting in the East follows that with administrative and military leaders from the Centre region on Monday 22 September where ha celled on them to ensure “a peaceful, calm, and secure” election on October 12.
The meeting, held at Yaoundé City Hall, brought together Centre Governor Naseri Paul Bea, the region’s 10 prefects, the regional delegate for Elections Cameroon (Elecam)—the body in charge of organizing elections—and the seven sub-prefects of the Mfoundi department. According to Elecam data, logistical preparations are proceeding normally. “The process is 85% complete, with 27 days to go before the vote,” Nji said.
The minister reiterated the President’s directives, emphasizing the need for a peaceful election. “We restated to everyone the head of state’s high directives, who insists that the presidential election must be well organized in a secure environment. In other words, a peaceful presidential election,” he told the press. To achieve this, he urged all political actors to respect the code of conduct established by Elecam and signed by the parties. Nji called on all participants to follow the code “so that on the evening of October 12, everyone can calmly fulfill their civic duty and calmly await the results.”
Nji also appealed to candidates and their supporters to prioritize fair play and responsibility. This warning echoed his previous calls. During the first biannual governors’ conference of 2025, for example, he had already advocated for a “credible, transparent, and peaceful presidential election” before, during, and after the vote, against a backdrop of rising hate speech and threats of post-electoral violence. He once again warned “malicious individuals acting in organized gangs” who “could in one way or another disrupt the proper conduct of the presidential election.” To prevent any destabilization attempts, the minister affirmed that security would be reinforced in the Centre region and across the country.
