Cameroon President-elect Paul Biya casting his vote./SCREENGRAB
Biya has been declared the winner of heavily disputed elections by the Constitutional Council.
He got 53.7% of the vote compared to the 35.2% of his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Biya, who is the world's oldest head of state, will now serve an eighth consecutive term—he first came to power in 1982.
President Paul Biya has yet to publicly address Cameroonians after his re-election on Monday, but the governing party has hailed his victory "under the sign of greatness and hope" in online posts.
Communications from his camp in the run-up to these polls has been sporadic at best, with the president making only one public appearance during campaign season.
There has been no comment from the government on reports that gunmen have opened fire, killing two people near the home of runner-up Issa Tchiroma Bakary.
Speaking in support of the president on Monday, a voter named Serge Pascal Eyango told Reuters news agency:
"Out of 10 regions in Cameroon, the President of the Republic won seven. And the candidate who tried to do something a bit significant in three regions, Issa Tchiroma [Bakary], congratulations to him.
"But... it proves how much the Cameroonian people still support their head of state. That's what matters. He is a man of peace, a uniting figure, a father to children, and we still have a lot of hope in him. That's all we expected."
Tchiroma Bakary had earlier claimed victory, saying the Constitutional Council will announce a tainted result
There are reports of deadly shootings near the candidate's home in the city of Garoua. At least four people were killed on Sunday in clashes with the security forces in the commercial hub of Douala.
Demonstrations have broken out in Douala, Cameroon's economic capital, following the announcement of the election results, according to local media reports.
Footage posted by news outlet Mimi Mefo Infos, externally, shows dozens of people jogging through the streets, chanting Issa Tchiroma Bakary's name in unison.
Cameroon News Agency posted a video, external showing a damaged council building, purportedly attacked by protesters.
Most shops and schools in the capital, Yaoundé, are shut because of fears of unrest.
Tchiroma Bakary's said this on the reported shooting: “Urgent: Currently at my home in Garoua, they are shooting at civilians who are camping in front of my house. The assault is on.
He added, “Toll of their attack: two dead. I wonder what will be said this time. Shooting point-blank at your own brothers - I can’t help but wonder if you’re mercenaries. Kill me if you want, but I will liberate this country by any means necessary. What blatant impunity.”
Although 10 candidates ran for Cameroon's top job, Biya, who has never lost an election, was considered a shoo-in.
This did not stop opposition candidate, and former minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary declaring himself the winner before the final results were announced.
In a recent interview with the BBC, he insisted on having defeated Biya, his former boss, in the polls.
He and his supporters accuse the president of electoral fraud and gross irregularities.
What's more, growing frustrations have triggered nationwide protests, which so far have killed at least four people, the authorities say.
Most of the protesters backed Tchiroma Bakary's claim of victory. The government said the protests were illegal, and the police went on to arrest several opposition leaders and activists.
Following the demonstrations, analysts warned that Cameroon, a once peaceful country, could descend into political turmoil if the election results did not reflect the will of the people.
