SECTION 6

(1) The President of the Republic shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast through direct, equal and secret universal suffrage. (2) (new) The President of the Republic shall be elected for a term of office of 7 (seven) years . He shall be eligible for election. (3) The election shall be held not less than 20 (twenty) days and not more than 50 (fifty) days before the expiry of the term of the President of the Republic in office. (4) (new) Where the office of President of the Republic becomes vacant as a result of death , resignation or permanent incapacity duly ascertained by the Constitutional Council, the polls for the election of the new President of the Republic must be held not less than 20 (twenty ) days and not more than 120 (one hundred and twenty) days after the office becomes vacant . (a) The President of the Senate shall as of right act as interim President of the Republic until the new President of the Republic is elected. Where the President of the Senate is unable to exercise these powers, they shall be exercised by his Vice following the order of precedence. (b) The interim President of the Republic – the President of the Senate or his Vice – may neither amend the Constitution nor the composition of the Government. He may not organize a referendum or run for the office of President of the Republic. (c) However, where the organization of the presidential election so requires, the interim President of the Republic may, after consultation with the Constitutional Council, amend the composition of the Government . (5) Candidates for the office of President of the Republic must be Cameroonian by birth, enjoy their civic and political rights and must have attained the age of 35 (thirty five) by the date of the election. (6) The conditions for electing the President of the Republic shall be laid down by law.