Cameroon Not Ready for Democratic, Free, and Fair Elections in 2007
Less than two month to the legislative and municipal elections to be held in July 2007 in Cameroon, the conditions on the ground are still not set to guarantee the democratic nature of the process. CCDHR recognizes that voters' disenfranchisement caused by decades of elections irregularities in Cameroon is to blame for the pervasiveness of voter apathy across the country. This has been expressed by a low voter registration and lack of public enthusiasm about voting in the upcoming elections. Most Cameroonians have completely lost fate in the system to the point where they do not belief their votes matter anymore.

Meanwhile, a Presidential decree signed on May 25, 2007 extending the mandate of the National Elections Observatory (NEO), offered one more prove that President Paul Biya is determined to see that his associate, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation (MINATD), who is also a prominent member of the ruling CPDM party, to oversees the conduct of the July elections and lead the ruling party to victory, while NEO assumes its normal inconsequential electoral functions. Despite the fact that Law N° 2006/011 of 29 December 2006 creating Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) was enacted more than five months ago, the government has consistently manifested its reluctance to set up this institution even though there was enough time to do so before the July elections. It would be eccentric therefore to expect the Honorable Minister of MINATD to organize elections and proclaim victory against his CPDM party.

More so, the fact that the Presidential decree was signed barely hours before the expiration of the mandate of NEO is a curious indication. CCDHR is concerned that this may be a sign that NEO is a forgotten institution or indicative of the reluctance of the decision by President Biya and his machinery to grant NEO the opportunity to again play passivity during the up coming elections. Besides limited public interactions, NEO has been docile for the most part 2007, probably due to the uncertainties surrounding its existence. Its website (as of June 1, 2007) is also suffering from serious information deficiency, with the most recent update being three (3) years outdated.

CCDHR recognizes from past electoral experiences in Cameroon that election fraud occurs before, during, and after the polls. Pre-poll rigging strategies have involved bogus voters registers. CCDHR is therefore very concerned about current allegations of clandestine registration locations around the country by pro-ruling party personalities such as ministers, chiefs, elites, businessmen, and party militants in the North West, South West, Litoral, West, Far North, North, and Adamawa provinces of the country. CCDHR is therefore calling on the government not to validate any clandestine voter registers presented by any political party. Registration of voters must be carried out as dictated by law with the possibility of getting every eligible Cameroonian on the register in a transparent manner.

CCDHR is also appealing to all Cameroonians yet to register to vote to do so as soon as possible. Although no one is under any legal obligation to vote, voting is a fundamental right and responsibility of every citizen and should be exercised as often as the opportunity presents itself. It is incumbent upon all Cameroonians to ensure that they do not surrender to others the decision to elect those who get into public offices and make decisions on issues that affect them. In addition, ensured participation at elections is a positive way of deterring election fraud or making the rigging process more strenuous.

CCDHR holds strongly that a credible registration process is a prerequisite for any democratic, free, and fair election process. The whole electoral process would be seriously undermined if the registration process is flawed or influenced by the authorities. The electoral process would equally be undermined if eligible voters are not able to register to vote, do not receive their voting cards, or their names are absent from the voters registers at the locations where they are suppose to vote.

CCDHR is therefore calling on the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization (MINATD), the National Elections Observatory (NEO), and the government of Cameroon to do the following immediately and during the elections to guarantee the integrity of the 2007 election process:

• Continue to educate and update the public about the electoral process.

• Ensure that all Cameroonians who want to register to vote are able to register and their names included in the correct voter registry.

• Ensure that all voter registration is conducted by lawful authorities.

• Ensure that all registered voters are issued a voter’s card.

• Ensure that voters’ cards are sent to the right districts, quarters, or collection places to guarantee that each voter actually receive his/her voter’s card.

• Ensure that the names of registered voters are placed on the voter register of the quarters, districts, or polling centers where they registered to vote so as to avoid Election Day confusion.

• Ensure that all polling stations are set up in public places not in private homes, or residences of chiefs, fons, or lamidos, which may affect the impartiality of the process.

• Ensure that all political parties are able to hold campaign rallies and reach voters throughout the country without administrative hurdles.

• Ensure that the ruling party does not use its influence to manipulate media outlets at the expense of other political parties.

• Prevent the emergence of ghost polling stations and voting registers comprising the names of non-existent and dead people with corresponding fully stuffed ballot boxes on their behalf on election day.

• Ensure that voting is done using truly indelible ink across the country, including ruling party strongholds, so as to prevent people from voting more than once.

• Ensure that election monitors and observers whether accredited by NEO or working for national and international non-governmental organizations have the opportunity to do their job without harassment.

• Ensure that journalists of the private media are allowed to monitor election day events at polling stations and freely document their observations without harassment or seizure of their manuscripts.