By Bakah Derick
Blogger@hilltopvoices
According to Cameroons’ electoral laws, the
annual revision of the electoral register ends at midnight on the 31 August
every year. This Monday August 31is therefore the last day for eligible and
unregistered Cameroonians to get themselves registered.
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| Dr Fonkam Azu-ELECAM |
In a bid to get a firsthand appraisal of the
revision process in the Northwest ahead of the closure this Monday, the
Chairman of the electoral Board Dr Fokam Samuel Azu’u is in the Northwest
Region for a 10 day tour. Speaking during a press conference in Bamenda Friday
August 28, 2015, Dr Fokam explained that he and other members of the board have
just returned from the diaspora where they observed with satisfaction the implementation
of various conditions laid down for registration in different Cameroonian
diplomatic missions across the world. Elaborating on some of the conditions,
the Electoral board chairman explained that after visiting 38 destinations,
they were sure that only Cameroonians with the Country’s nationality were
allowed to register as per the law with all using consular cards obtained with
the use of Cameroonian passports. The law he added allows such Cameroonians to
participate only in referendums and presidential elections only. The only
exception her said is for woman who are married and for reasons of marriage
will want to keep their Cameroonian nationality.
On his tour of the region Dr Fonkam said he
will be visiting as many Council Branches as possible meeting with members of
the joined commission for a proper assessment of the process. He noted that he
will be carrying out his tour including the weekend during which he expects all
Elections Cameroon ELECAM offices to be open to make sure all those just
acquiring national Identity cards and other late comers are registered.
Northwest
Statistics
Presenting the latest statistics as of August
27, 2015 in the Northwest Region, the Chairman said a total of 36118 have been
newly registered with 30454 of them youths. “13635 cards collected by their
rightful owners, 1379 names expunged and 1744 modifications made.
Divisionally in terms of population density,
Dr Fokam presented Mezam as the highest in registration with 15766, Bui 4456,
Donga Mantung 3652, Momo 2631, Menchum 2871, Ngoketunjia 3073 and Boyo 3669 new
registered. Comparatively to same time in 2014 when 26746 were registered in
the region by this time, the Chairman saluted the work of the regional office
and expressed optimism that before the process officially ends well over 1000
will be registered.
After August
31
As to what happens after the official closing
due for mid night this Monday August 31, 2015, the Chairman presented a
calendar of activities which indicates that by the 5th of September,
Council branches are expected to forward the registers to the Divisions. Latest
October 10, the provisional list should be available at all council branches
for verification by all registered. Between September 20 to November 9, he added
ELECAM will be open to receive complains from political parties. From November
10, the corrected list will be forwarded to Divisional Heads and by December
10, all information should be in the ELECAM collation center in Yaounde. At
this eleve Dr Fokam indicated that the list will be consolidated and made
public as per the law including names from the diaspora.
Dr Fokam Azu’u is accompanied in the
Northwest tour by Dr Sango Nfosi who is also member of the Electoral
commission.
While encouraging everyone to get registered
the Chairman noted that after death, the only thing that puts all Cameroonians
at the same level with the president of the Republic is voting consequently all
should be proud to be part of the process.