By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
Gunshots, ghost town, disserted streets and low voter turnout characterized the presidential election in the town of Buea, as electors went to cast their votes last October 7.
As early as 7:30am, voters were seen in some polling centers in Buea, however, voting started late in many of these centers due to the unavailability of voting materials which arrived some areas as late as 9am.
From BGS Molyko, Ecole Publique, GS Great Soppo, Buea council, Youth and Animation Center, Former council, scores of people were seen honouring their civic responsibility by voting; though the turn out was not encouraging as officials had expected.
The low turn, some say is due to the communiqué issued by the SW Governor banning the movement of vehicles-although private cars who had passes were seen plying the streets. The banning of taxis, they hold, made people to stay away while others had to trek long distances to their polling stations to vote. However, the unavailability of taxis was supplemented with the provision of council vehicles to transport potential voters, though many say the move was not enough.
Also, some inhabitants wilfully decided to stay at home rather than voting, thus leaving the streets deserted. Shops, businesses, bars, were all closed in conformity.
The low turnout can also be attributed to calls by secessionists for people to boycott the election in the English speaking regions. Various warnings were send out on social media calling on the population to boycott the elections.
Gunshots were heard from neighbourhoods such as Muea, Mile 16 and 17. A car belonging to Cameroon Tribune was attacked at Mile 17 with bullets narrowly missing the driver and his passengers- journalists. Luckily all of them escaped with no harm.
Unlike those from Cameroon Tribune who escaped with a scattered windscreen, the DO for Buea narrowly missed death while sustaining wounds on his left fingers and a scratch on the head. He was rushed to the hospital were treatment was administered. On arriving from the hospital, the DO’s fingers could be seen bandaged while the scratch on his head was very visible.
Governor Okalia Bilai after voting told the press that election in the region has begun effectively though attacks by the secessionists were witnessed. He called on the population not to give in to fear but come out massively and vote.
The election in Buea was however without controversies as MRC officials accused CPDM officials in Buea of trying to rig the process in their favour, as MRC agents were prohibited in Ewonda polling station. After a standoff, exchange of words and calls made, the situation was resolved amicably with MRC officials allowed in.
Another issue which some observers noticed was that of Akere Muna still on the ballot list while in other centers/stations it was not there. However officials have been quick to point out that they got the information late calling on the withdrawal of Akere’s paper.