Opposition leader Issa Tchiroma of Cameroons National Salvation Front Party, FSNC, claims victory in Cameroon’s presidential election with over 60% of the vote, rejecting government claims of false results.
He urges citizens to peacefully defend their votes, insisting his win over Paul Biya is “undeniable” and legally valid. Tchiroma says he is ready to face arrest but will only accept official results that reflect the true ballot. Read on….
Tchiroma: We notice that we have more than 60%, while the second (Paul Biya) was lagging with less than 30%. We did it openly and we gave the opportunity to whoever would like to challenge what we did, to take notice of our document and if there is something wrong somewhere we are ready to examine it. But up to date (October 25, 2015) nobody has as ever a challenged what we did. So yes, I am the winner.
The ruling CPDM party says that your figures are faulty and that they do not reflect the reality of the ballot…
Tchiroma: What do you want them to say when they find themselves back against the wall? It is normal to claim that our statement is not right, but we challenge them to demonstrate that what we said is wrong. We are certain that if the result that the President of Constitutional Council announces is what came out of ballot box, nobody can challenge us.
Why did you not wait for the constitutional council to announce the official results as is required by law?
Tchiroma: The electoral code (article 113) prescribes to the managers of the polling stations, to display openly the results, in his polling station. This is what we did, (counting the tallies from the polling stations) and we say that we did it in accordance with the law.
The government said your move was illegal. Do you fear that in the coming days you might be arrested?
Tchiroma: I didn’t do anything wrong. I know what they are saying. I am here at home (Garoua). I’m ready. Let them come and collect me and put me in jail. But I know that I have already won the presidential election.
If someone else other than you is declared a winner, will you concede defeat and congratulate them.?
Tchiroma: In the spirit of democracy, I understand I agree with you. But provided that the Constitutional Council announces the result that comes from the ballot box. Not ballot stuffing.
Some experts and analysts have warned that the recent spate of violence we’ve seen in the country could be exacerbated if the results are released. Yet you’re asking people to go to the streets…?
I ask people to defend their vote. We will never accept their vote be stolen by whoever. The nation knows it. The world as such knows it… knows that I have defeated the CPDM representative (Paul Biya). There is no doubt, no shadow of doubt whatsoever. My victory is undeniable.
Issa Tchiroma spoke to BBC‘s Paul Njie.
