The announcement was made on November 9 through a presidential decree read on state broadcaster CRTV. Voters will elect members of the National Assembly and municipal councillors in the country's first legislative and local elections since 2020.
The elections were postponed twice, with lawmakers' mandates extended until December 20, 2026, and those of municipal councillors until February 28, 2027. The new date comes amid continued political tensions following the October 2025 presidential election, in which Biya was declared the winner for another term.
Biya, 93, has governed Cameroon since 1982. His re-election was disputed by opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who claimed victory and called on supporters to defend what he described as the people's choice. Protests following the election were met with a security crackdown, with rights groups reporting mass arrests.
Political tensions have continued, including the government's recent suspension of Tchiroma's Cameroon National Salvation Front (FSNC) party for three months.
The February elections will take place against this backdrop of opposition-government tensions and questions surrounding political succession, following a constitutional reform that reintroduced the office of vice president in April 2026.
The upcoming polls are expected to determine the composition of the country's legislature and local councils for the next electoral cycle.
