Official: ELECAM Will Install Credible Computerization System

 By Christopher Ambe Shu

The Southwest Regional Delegate for Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) has said the elections management body will put in place a credible computerization System.

Njang Emmanuel Mbeng gave the assurance in Buea while launching this year’s voter registration and revision of electoral lists in the Southwest Region, in preparation for the 2011 presidential election.

Mbeng stressed that this year’s registration, which is going on, is different from previous ones in that it has the following innovations: it is being done in ELECAM council branch offices; registers will be used for the first time; ELECAM will put in place a credible computerization system; ELECAM considers all stakeholders in the electoral process as partners; receipts will be issued after registration ,and the mixed commission for revision of electoral registers will be headed by ELECAM Branch officials

The Regional Delegate pleaded with the Southwest population to register massively for the forth-coming political consultations, so that they can take positive decisions about the future of Cameroon.

 “We welcome all Cameroonians of good faith, who have a positive vision and dynamism to accompany Cameroon to a political Eldorado”, he said

He insisted that, ELECAM is an independent electoral body in charge of orgainsing, managing and supervising the entire electoral processes and referendums in Cameroon.

 His insistence left on one in doubt that he was reacting to claims by some opposition parties, international organizations and civil society organizations that ELECAM looks more like the ruling CPDM organ.

Mbeng said the Southwest Delegation of ELECAM was well-equipped to perform its assign duties. “Materials for registration have been supplied, comprising voter registers, receipt booklet and electoral lists of previous elections,” he disclosed, adding: “The Southwest Regional Delegation of ELECAM has already received all electoral material from the Governor of the Southwest West Region”

To qualify for registration  one must fulfill the following conditions: must be a Cameroonian, must be at least 20 years old by the day of the poll, must be in or posses a place of abode within the administrative constituency for at least six months, and must be a citizen who enjoys full civic rights .

But the ELECAM regional boss added, “Members of the armed forces are allowed to register without complying with the residence requirements.”

He said Cameroonians abroad with valid Identity cards, must apply for their names to be maintained on the electoral lists in the constituency or polling station they last voted.

It emerged that ELECAM would at the first stage preoccupy itself with the registration of new voters and later embark on revision of voter registers after it must have put in place the commissions.

The launching of this year’s voter registration and revision of electoral lists in the Southwest Region was attended by journalists, members of civil society organizations, and some political parties such as the CPDM.

But conspicuously absent was Cameroon’s leading opposition party, the SDF, which has threatened to boycott next year’s polls should the Biya regime fail to review ELECAM, so to make it generally accepted as an independent electoral body.