Yaounde, Oct 21 (NationPress) Protests erupted on Tuesday in the capital of Cameroon, Yaounde, as frustrated crowds accused the government of fraud during the presidential election held on October 12.

In numerous neighborhoods, demonstrators displayed placards denouncing "electoral fraud" and asserting a "stolen victory". The police and gendarmes were deployed throughout the city to disperse the protesters using tear gas following brief confrontations.

Footage circulated by local media on social networks showed protesters claiming that electoral officials had "manipulated the vote count" to benefit the longstanding President Paul Biya.

Similar protests were also reported in Garoua, the main city in the North Region, and the hometown of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who has declared himself the winner of the election.

The government and local leaders have released multiple statements urging for calm and restraint.

Earlier on Tuesday, the National Commission for the Final Counting of Votes announced the completion of the ballot tallying and indicated that provisional results would be submitted to the Constitutional Council, which is responsible for declaring the final outcome.

Some local news outlets have reported that Biya is currently leading with over 50% of the votes. The Constitutional Council is expected to announce the official results by October 27, in accordance with Cameroon's Electoral Code.

Last Wednesday, demonstrations took place in Douala, Cameroon's commercial center, with angry crowds accusing the authorities of fraud during the presidential election.

In the Bonamoussadi and Makepe neighborhoods of Douala, protesters took to the streets and erected roadblocks but were swiftly dispersed by security forces using tear gas after short confrontations.

Videos shared by local media on social platforms revealed protesters claiming that electoral authorities manipulated the vote tally in favor of President Paul Biya, the country's long-time leader.

"We are striving to maintain calm and help protesters understand that the streets are not the place for expressing their grievances. Security forces will continue to uphold peace and order by all means," a police officer told Xinhua news agency over the phone, requesting anonymity.

The presidential election in this Central African nation took place on October 12, with opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary declaring victory the next day. However, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji dismissed Tchiroma's claim, labeling it unconstitutional and an act of "extreme gravity".