Voter Apathy During Presidential Elections in Cameroon: A Stalled Democratic Transition in Disquiet

Voting is a key form of political participation through which citizens select representatives and hold public officials accountable. However, studies show a general decline in electoral participation across both liberal democracies and electoral authoritarian systems. In Cameroon, voter apathy is reflected in the significant proportion of eligible voters who abstain from elections. Although the first multiparty presidential election in 1992 generated considerable enthusiasm, it resulted in low turnout, allegations of electoral malpractice, and a disputed outcome that undermined democratic transition. Since then, voter participation has steadily declined. This paper examines the factors contributing to persistent low voter turnout in Cameroon, focusing on voter disillusionment, political fragmentation, and institutional manipulation. It argues that governing authorities have systematically influenced electoral institutions to maintain political control, including during the 2025 presidential election. Similar patterns of electoral management and alleged manipulation are traced across presidential elections held between 1992 and 2018, where concerns over fraud and lack of transparency have contributed to declining public confidence in the electoral process. The study highlights how these dynamics collectively sustain voter apathy and weaken democratic participation in Cameroon.