By Elah Geofrey Mbongale with reports from Sah Terence, Moma Sandrine, Simon Kalla and Daniella Neba
Municipal Councillors went to the polls across the country to elect senators for a five-year mandate in an election widely expected to be won by the ruling party-the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement, CPDM,-which has a greater number of councillors.
While elections went on smoothly in other parts of the country, it was a bumpy ride in most parts of the North West and South West with serious gun clashes reported in several areas despite measures put in place by government ensure a successful election in these regions.
The Governor of the South West Region of Cameroon Bernard Okalia Bilai, suspended the movement of persons and goods in the region from Saturday 8pm to Sunday while his counterpart of the North West Region Adolphe Lele L’Afrique also took similar measures suspending movement on election day from 6am to 9pm.
Both authorities justified their decisions by the need “to ensure the smooth organization and conduct of the…Senatorial elections in conformity with the provisions of the law”.
Elections however took place amid security concerns posed by separatist fighters who have engaged in fierce battles with security forces in parts of the regions.
In the North West region, the governor toured some polling stations to ensure that everything was moving on smoothly. At GBPNS Mbengwi, he observed that elections had been going on smoothly before a hidden video recorder was found in the ceiling of the polling station that led to a halt in the voting process. The video recorder was found by one of the SDF councilors who alerted the ELECAM officials. The SDF accused the CPDM officials of planting the camera to identify which councilor voted for which party.
In Ngoketunja, all 100 councilors were present and cast their vote. In Bui, 195 councillors answered present at the polls while 161 councilors, 1 proxy inclusive cast their votes in the Ndonga Mantung Division.
In Boyo Division, out of the 114 councillors expected to vote, six did not show up citing threats from unknown persons who promised to shoot them if they went to the polls.
They were however guaranteed security escort that brought them to the polls later in the evening to cast their votes. It is worth noting that 13 councillors voted in Boyo by proxies.
In Menchum Division all 104 councillors voted. However, The SUN gathered that some councillors from both parties were allowed to vote with expired ID cards.
Out of 202 candidates in Kumbo, 5 have died and 2 resigned before now thus leaving 195 councillors who all voted hitch free.
As at press time reports filtered in that the SDF had a slight edge over the ruling CPDM in the North West region, which would be a major upset considering that the later had many more councillors than the former coming into the elections. The CPDM also had the added advantage of having the Prime Minister, Philemon Yang, and the recently appointed Minister of Territorial administration to campaign on their behalf.
In the South West region, voting went on hitch-free in most urban areas like Limbe and Kumba amid tight security.
In Meme, all councillors answered present under very tight security. Municipal Councilors of the five councils in Meme Division including; Kumba I, II, III Konye and Mbonge Sub-Divisions defied threats from anonymous sources and performed their civil responsibilities.
The exercise that took place at Government Bilingual Primary School, GBPS Kumba, precisely in Kumba I Sub-Division.
Talking to one of the ELECAM officials present, he noted that all modalities pertaining to the senatorial election has been strictly respected by Elections Cameroon and the stakeholders involved.
In Fako, there was relative calm as councillors converged on GHS Limbe to cast their votes. At the end of the counting, While the CPDM claimed victory, The SDF cried foul citing numerous irregularities
“I want to express my gratitude to God Almighty who has been with us throughout this race. It was challenging but exciting, and a moment that brought about the enrichment of our democracy. We faced very stiff competition form opponents who were also in the race and I want to acknowledge their strength and participation. We are very happy with the absolute majority we have registered and we thank our councilors who voted.”,Senator Mbella Moki Charles- CPDM incumbent
“The voting went well in Fako as no irregularities were recorded. However, there were some irregularities noted in Menji where reports say a minister placed himself as an Elecam official and ferried in councilors from Dschang to vote. Also in Bangem, there were gun battles all day and another minister also placed a heavy hand in the process, to get councilors vote under his supervision. It’s regrettable that democracy still has a long way to go in this country.”, SDF list leader, Prof Kale Ndiva told reporters after the vote count in Limbe.
Relative calm was also recorded in Manyu and Ndian meanwhile heavy gun battle between the military and separatist fighters was observed in Kupe Muanenguba and Lebialem.
Councillors from Lebialem who had earlier sort refuge in neighbouring Dschang, head quarter of Menoua Division in the West region, were reportedly airlifted by a military helicopter to vote in Menji.
In Bangem, polls closed as early as 4pm as bullets rend the air for several hours. Separatist fighters are said to have attempted to block both entrances into Bangem from Melong and Tombel to prevent councillors from voting.
The day-long gun exchange reportedly left at least one civilian dead.
Elecam on Saturday morning relocated two polling stations in Lebialem and Ndian as a result of recent incidents in those areas.
While the towns of Limbe and Buea observed relative calm on Election Day, albeit defying the gubernatorial bans, there was tight security in all entry points of the major cities.
There were reports of serious gun battles between separatist fighters and the military in Bangem and Tombel, towns in Kupe Muanenguba of the South West region. As at press time, unconfirmed reports cited three civilian deaths.
Sources on the ground indicated that the main towns and surrounding villages had been deserted amidst a barrage of gunfire.