1.1 Background of the Study

Elections are a fundamental pillar of democratic governance, providing citizens with the opportunity to choose their leaders and influence public policy. In contemporary societies, the conduct of elections has increasingly moved beyond traditional campaign methods such as rallies, print media, and broadcast communication to incorporate digital platforms, particularly social media. Globally, platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have transformed political communication by enabling instant information sharing, direct interaction between political actors and citizens, and the rapid circulation of political narratives (Loader & Mercea, 2011).

In Africa, the growth of mobile internet access and social media adoption has significantly altered political participation and electoral processes. Social media platforms have become important tools for political mobilization, civic education, election monitoring, and political activism, especially among young people who constitute a large proportion of the population (Bosch, 2017). However, these platforms have also introduced new challenges, including the spread of misinformation, hate speech, political polarization, and state surveillance.

Cameroon has experienced a steady increase in internet penetration over the past decade, with Facebook and Twitter emerging as dominant platforms for political discussion and engagement. These platforms are widely used by political parties, candidates, civil society organizations, journalists, and ordinary citizens to disseminate campaign messages, debate national issues, and contest political authority (Freedom House, 2024). Social media has become particularly influential in a political context where traditional media is often perceived as state-controlled or restrictive.

The 2025 presidential election in Cameroon took place in a tense political environment characterized by long-standing governance concerns, the Anglophone crisis, economic hardship, youth unemployment, and declining public trust in state institutions. As in previous elections, opposition parties and civil society actors increasingly relied on Facebook and Twitter to bypass traditional media gatekeepers, mobilize supporters, and report alleged electoral irregularities (Nyamnjoh, 2020). At the same time, the government intensified its digital presence, using social media to communicate official narratives and counter opposition claims.

During the 2025 election period, Facebook and Twitter served as key arenas for political campaigning, voter education, election observation, and post-election contestation. Citizens used these platforms to share real-time updates from polling stations, express political opinions, and challenge official election results. However, the online space was also marked by the circulation of unverified information, inflammatory rhetoric, and competing claims about electoral credibility, raising concerns about the impact of social media on political stability and democratic legitimacy.

Given the growing centrality of social media in Cameroon’s electoral landscape, it is necessary to conduct a systematic analysis of how Facebook and Twitter were used during the 2025 presidential election and the implications of such usage for political communication, voter behavior, and democratic processes.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the increasing reliance on Facebook and Twitter for political engagement during elections in Cameroon, there is limited empirical research examining their actual role and impact in shaping electoral processes. While social media platforms are often praised for promoting political participation and freedom of expression, they also pose serious risks to electoral integrity and democratic stability.

In the context of Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election, Facebook and Twitter became major sources of political information for many citizens. However, the unregulated nature of these platforms allowed the rapid spread of misinformation, rumors, and politically motivated content that could mislead voters and undermine trust in the electoral process. The circulation of conflicting narratives regarding voter turnout, election results, and alleged fraud heightened political tension and public confusion.

Furthermore, concerns were raised about digital repression, including online harassment of political activists, selective enforcement of cyber laws, and threats to freedom of expression. These challenges raise critical questions about whether Facebook and Twitter functioned as tools for democratic empowerment or instruments that deepened political division and instability during the 2025 election.

The absence of a comprehensive academic analysis examining how Facebook and Twitter were used by political actors and citizens, the nature of content shared, and the perceived credibility of online political information constitutes a significant research gap. Without such analysis, it is difficult to assess the true influence of social media on Cameroon’s electoral democracy. This study therefore seeks to address this gap by systematically analyzing the usage of Facebook and Twitter in Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election.

1.3 Research Questions

This study is guided by the following research questions:

Main Research Question

How did Facebook and Twitter influence political communication and public discourse during Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election?

Specific Research Questions

1. How were Facebook and Twitter used by political parties, candidates, and civil society organizations during the 2025 presidential election?

2. What types of political content were most frequently shared on Facebook and Twitter during the pre-election, election-day, and post-election periods?

3. How did citizens perceive the credibility and reliability of political information disseminated on Facebook and Twitter?

4. To what extent did Facebook and Twitter contribute to voter mobilization and political participation, particularly among youths?

5. What challenges related to misinformation, digital rights, and online political repression emerged during the election period?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

1.4.1 General Objective

The general objective of this study is to analyze the role and impact of Facebook and Twitter in shaping political communication and electoral dynamics during Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

1. To examine how Facebook and Twitter were used by political actors and citizens during the 2025 presidential election.

2. To identify the dominant themes and patterns of political content shared on Facebook and Twitter during the election period.

3. To assess the influence of Facebook and Twitter on voter awareness, engagement, and political participation.

4. To evaluate public perceptions of the credibility of election-related information shared on social media platforms.

5. To analyze the challenges posed by misinformation, digital repression, and online political conflict during the election cycle.