By Doh James Sonkey
The Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms in Cameroon, Dr Chemuta Divine Banda has strongly recommended that Cameroonians should throughout this post-election period rather focus all their attention and energy on a genuine search for lasting solutions to the socio-political crisis in the North West and South West regions than inviting upon themselves more violence.
In a post-election statement issued last October 24, 2018, a copy of which The SUN procured, Dr Chemuta Divine Banda equally recommended that national focus should be turned to the completion of on-going development projects and preparations for future elections.
Explaining that though they are still working on the final report on the conduct of the presidential election in Cameroon, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission nonetheless pointed out certain observations; that “the polls were conducted during a highly worrying sociopolitical crisis, the participation was rather low, it had the fewest number of candidates since 2004, the handling of the electoral disputes by the Constitutional Council was exciting and attractive as it was broadcast live on television nationally and internationally.”
He underlined that there are “Lessons for the ruling coalition which has scored over 70% since 2004, lessons for the opposition parties which have never scored up to 30% since 2004 and lessons for other actors involved in election management.”
Dr Chemuta Divine Banda also used the occasion to congratulate all the candidates on their high sense of patriotism, appreciated the force of coalition and appreciated as well the maturity of Cameroonians in their efforts to maintain peace.
It is worth noting that the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms has been observing elections in Cameroon since 2004.