Cameroon has a population of over 24million and youths under 18 years of age constitute about 12 million out of this total population. About 2million youths are between the age of 18 and 20. A rough calculation of the above figures reveals that over 14million youths which is over 60% of the Cameroon population is excluded from exercising their fundamental right to vote. This is very unhealthy to the survival of our democracy.
Section 2(3) of Law No. 2008 /001 of 14th April 2008 Amending the 1996 Constitution (Addendum-Versions of 1984 and 1972 places the minimum voting age in Cameroon at 20 years. This section states thus: “the voting shall be equal and secret, and every citizen aged 20 years and above shall be entitled to vote”.
Masters Degree in Law, PhD Fellow – University of Bamenda
This minimum age is reaffirmed under section 45 of Law No. 2012/001 of 19 April 2012 Relating to the Electoral Code Amended and Supplemented by Law No 2012/017 of 21 December 2012 and by Law No. 2019/005 of 25 April 2019. By stating thus: “Every person of Cameroonian nationality of either sex, who has reached the age of 20(twenty) years, is registered on an electoral register and is free from all cases of disqualification provided for by law, shall be entitled to be an elector”.
A careful analysis of the above figures in relation to the above cited sections of the laws indicates that only 40% of the Cameroon population is accorded the right to vote given that voting age in Cameroon stands at 20 years and above.
It is paradoxical that though the Constitution and the Electoral Code places the minimum voting age at 20, whereas other national laws proceeds to accord youths below 20 years with rights and responsibilities with equal or with more substance compared to the right to vote. The Cameroon Penal Code in its section 80(4) imposes full criminal responsibility at 18 years and above. Youths 18 years of age are recruited into the military services to defend the territorial integrity of the state, persons and their property. At the age of 18 in Cameroon, one is ripe to possess a National Identity Card and at 18, a girl or a boy is ripe for marriage. It suffices to conclude here that if youths below 20 years of age are seen to be capable of building a family, can be entrusted with the security of the state as well as other civil responsibilities, they should also be accorded the right to choose who to lead them.
On this score, it is important that Parliament in its next session deliberates and adopts a law or amend the above cited sections of the law to a minimum of 18 years to enable youths as from this age to exercise their fundamental right to vote.
Who knows, this may be a game changer in the 2025 presidential elections, for one vote can change the narrative of previous outcome of elections.