YAOUNDE, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cameroonian Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji issued a warning against falsifying results hours after polls closed in the country's presidential election on Sunday.
According to Atanga Nji, intelligence services have identified "a platform" that wants to publish "fake" election results.
"The government will put an end to this imposture that wants to falsify the results and publish them on illegal platforms. Those spearheading this will face the law, no matter their political or social status. Political parties need to use legal means to complain," Atanga Nji told a press conference in the capital, Yaounde, on Sunday night, without naming who was in charge of the platforms.
Essosse Erik, director general of the country's electoral body Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), cited the Electoral Code, saying that the election results will be proclaimed by the Constitutional Council "no later than 15 days after the closing date of the polls."
"The election results will be forwarded to the different competent electoral commissions and subsequently to the national commission for the final counting of votes," Erik told reporters.
Polling in the election opened at 8:00 a.m. local time and ended at 6:00 p.m. local time.
"The election took place under very acceptable conditions across the national territory and abroad. Election materials and documents were available. No major incidents were recorded throughout the voting operations," Erik said.
Among the candidates, incumbent President Paul Biya cast his ballot at noon at the Government Primary School Bastos polling station in Yaounde, aiming for an eighth term in office since 1982.
Speaking to reporters after voting, Biya said he was satisfied with how the election was proceeding in the country. "People need to show proof of maturity, and it will be a good thing if there are no injuries or fighting," Biya said.
Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Biya's main rival and former spokesperson, voted in the northern town of Garoua. "We hope that everything unfolds peacefully. People need to stay and count the votes when voting ends," Tchiroma said.
Protests broke out in Garoua hours after the polls closed, following rumors that Tchiroma had been placed under house arrest. Calm returned after Tchiroma confirmed that he was "safe and in good health."
Twelve candidates were initially confirmed to contest the election. Opposition candidates Akere Muna and Seta Caxton Ateki formed a coalition with Biya's former ally Bello Bouba Maigari, bringing the number of contenders down to 10.
More than 8,000,000 people registered to vote in Sunday's election at over 31,000 polling stations, according to ELECAM.
During interviews with Xinhua, several voters voiced their hope for peace and prosperity after voting.
"We want development and employment opportunities. Whoever wins this election should usher in a new republic that responds to our needs," James Essomba, who voted in Yaounde, told Xinhua.
"The next president should construct new roads, rehabilitate old ones, and provide a constant water supply and electricity. These are our major challenges," added Mohammed Daroua, another voter.
In the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, additional troops were deployed to secure the vote after separatist groups seeking to form an independent state vowed to disrupt the election.
Authorities said that voting went on hitch-free in the regions, although voters were afraid.
"I pray for peace to reign in Cameroon because we in the Southwest and Northwest have suffered a lot. So we need peace," Tanyi Besem said after casting her ballot in Buea, the chief town of the Southwest region.
The country now awaits the outcome of the single-round election, in which the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner. ■