By DANIELA NEBA NGUM
The Branch Head of Elections Cameroon, ELECAM for Meme Division, Divine Mewanu has lamented that reports on social media have greatly discouraged people from taking part in ELECAM activities this year.
The Meme Divisional Branch Head disclosed this information on January 22 at the branch office during a meeting with ELECAM Board members for the Southwest Region and political party officials.
According to the Branch Head the poor turnout of eligible voters to register for the upcoming elections can be linked to the reports they read from the social media. He noted that reports on social media discourage people from partaking in this year’s elections, a situation which he regretted given the fact that it is an election year.
He however recommended that a good communication service be set up in ELECAM to curb the effects of social media propaganda.
On his part, the Southwest ELECAM Board Member Christopher Tambe Tiku noted that bad leaders are put by those who do not vote as such he called on party officials to encourage their militants to register for the elections this year since only elections can determine the fate of the country.
Christopher Tambe Tiku told the commission members that election is a sovereign act as such despite the current situation in some part of the country, the state will do everything possible to organize elections this year.
Difficulties faced
According to the Meme Divisional Branch Head for ELECAM, the ongoing Anglophone crisis has dealt a big blow to the activities of ELECAM.
He lamented that their activities have been put to a standstill in some Sub-Divisions like Mbonge, Konye and Kumba III that are mostly affected.
Statistics
The Divisional Branch Head further disclosed that from January 2 when voters’ registration was launched to January 19, 2018, only 150 new voters have been registered in all the Sub-Divisional branches.
He however noted that the figure is encouraging and better as compared to last year.
Provision of special polling stations
Tambe Tiku further disclosed that the Director General indicated in one of his interviews that special polling stations will be made available for displaced persons who are eligible to vote, though they must show prove of haven been register for the elections.
Security
Much has been reported of ELECAM staff who have receiving threatening messages as they carry out their activities.
They noted that the situation will be put to rest since the government has assured them of security and a conducive environment for the elections.
On her part, the Southwest Regional Head for ELECAM reminded the party officials that this is an election year as such political parties are more involved in the electoral process. She called on them to sensitize their militants to register and collect their cards.