By DOH JAMES SONKEY
Members of the Electoral Board of Elections Cameroon, ELECAM are currently assessing final preparations ahead of February 9, 2020 legislative and municipal elections in Cameroon. After voting FCFA 10 billion 683 million as 2020 budget of their institution last December 30, 2019, they can be seen in the field multiplying inspection visits since last December 27, 2019 when they met at their 4th session as of right to take stock of the ruling of the Constitutional Council on petitions brought before them by political parties whose lists were rejected by ELECAM.
Last January 10, 2020, members led by Enow Abrams Egbe accompanied by the Director General of Elections, Erik Essousse undertook a joint visit to the various logistics bases that were requisitioned for the printing, preparation and packaging of election materials and documents ahead of the upcoming February 9, 2020 polls.
Speaking at their 5th session as of right, the Electoral Board President explained that “this guided tour has clearly enabled us to take stock and better appreciate the work progress on
site. This will surely permit us to make adequate recommendations to difficulties that might arise and likely to hinder the smooth progress of these activities. In other words, information gathered on the spot shall provide efficient guidance for the deliberations to follow, which is the opening session of this New Year 2020.”
Chairing the session, Enow Abrams Egbe reiterated their institution’s commitment to seeing that the municipal and legislative elections of February 9, 2020 hold without any hitches. He declared that all is set for ELECAM to organise successful elections nationwide.
The Electoral Board Chair said despite the challenges of access to some zones that are restive, the general climate is reassuring for elections to hold without any major incident. Enow Abrams Egbe promised that ELECAM was going to work on necessary changes in line with the rulings of the Constitutional Council on litigations that followed after the publication of lists of candidates for the upcoming twin elections.
He cited the case of the Union des Populations du Cameroun, UPC party, whose lists earlier thrown out by ELECAM was put back in the race when some of their lists were reinstated. At the end of this fourth annual board meeting, ELECAM will have to make public another list of candidates rehabilitated based on the ruling of the Constitutional Council.
The session was also an opportunity to correct other minor errors especially in terms of the spelling of names and other minute details. He said ELECAM stands for the respect of the law and promises an inclusive elections for all the stakeholders involved.
Enow Abrams after thanking board members for what he termed, “efficiency and transparency in handling candidates’ files for the forthcoming polls,” expressed satisfaction on the work they are carrying out as a team to see that the institution delivers the expected results.
The 5th session as of right enabled members to conduct a phase-by-phase reassessment, from an administrative, technical and financial standpoint, of the level of preparedness for the upcoming legislative and municipal elections as the D-day is drawing closer.