Douala: Protests broke out Wednesday in Cameroon’s commercial hub of Douala, with angry crowds accusing authorities of fraud in Sunday’s presidential election. In the Bonamoussadi and Makepe neighborhoods of the city, protesters took to the streets and erected road barricades, but they were quickly dispersed by security forces using tear gas following brief altercations.

According to Namibia Press Agency, videos posted by local media on social media platforms show protesters claiming that electoral authorities manipulated the vote count in favor of President Paul Biya, the country’s longtime leader. “We are trying to maintain calm and make the protesters understand that the street is not the place to express their grievances. Security forces will continue to maintain peace and order by all means,” a police officer told Xinhua by phone but asked not to be named.

The presidential election in the Central African nation took place on Sunday, with opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary claiming victory the following day. However, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji rejected Tchiroma’s claim, calling it unconstitutional and “an act of extreme gravity.”

In a statement released on Tuesday, Atanga Nji said Tchiroma seeks to disrupt the electoral process. “Public order will be maintained and reinforced nationwide so that the electoral process proceeds peacefully to its conclusion,” he added. Results of the election are expected to be announced on or before Oct. 27 by the Constitutional Council, according to Cameroon’s Electoral Code.