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Wednesday, 29 September, 2004, 11:52 GMT 12:52 UK

Cameroon election bid challenged

President of Cameroon A presidential candidate in Cameroon has launched a legal challenge to the candidacy of President Paul Biya in next month's presidential elections.

Jean-Jacques Ekindi says that under the constitution, the president cannot be a candidate as both the incumbent and head of a political party.

He says President Biya should step down as chairman of the ruling party.

Under party rules, this would disqualify Mr Biya as only its chairman can run for president.

Vocal critic

Leader of the opposition Progressive Movement Party, Mr Ekindi brought his challenge before Cameroon's Supreme Court.

According to BBC's Francis Ngwa Niba in Yaounde, under article seven of the constitution the president can not hold two elected posts.

But under the constitution of the ruling party, the Democratic Rally of the Cameroon People (CPDM), the chairman is always put forward as its presidential candidate.

Mr Ekindi argues that this would disqualify Mr Biya from running for president.

One of 16 presidential candidates and a former CPDM member, Mr Ekindi is a vocal critic of President Biya, our correspondent says.

Mr Biya, who has been in power for 22 years, has yet to respond to the challenge.

Some 4.6 million Cameroonian voters out of a population of 16 million are due to go to the polls on 11 October.




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Related to this story:
Cameroon leader's 'divide and rule' (17 Sep 04  |  Africa )
Cameroon leader seeks a new term (16 Sep 04  |  Africa )
Cameroon players back president (06 Sep 04  |  Africa )
Frustration threatens Cameroon calm (07 Jan 04  |  Africa )
Timeline: Cameroon (27 Apr 04  |  Country profiles )
Country profile: Cameroon (14 Jul 04  |  Country profiles )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Cameroon government (in French)
SDF
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