ELECAM Sets Up Local Polling Commissions

The exercise is underway and the Centre Region is getting ready.

In keeping with the April 19, 2012 law putting in place Cameroon's first ever Electoral Code which spells out that every election must have local polling stations, Cameroon's election governing body, ELECAM, has per the rules started compiling names for Local Polling Commissions in view of the election of Senators billed for April 14, 2013.

In the Centre Region, the exercise is going on without hitches. As of now, the SDF has already sent in representatives to 34 polling stations in the ten divisions of the Region. While waiting for the CPDM, officials say all is going on as planned and ELECAM Centre Regional Delegation has already cautioned Divisional Branch Heads to remind parties to file in their representatives.

For administrative representatives, the Unit Head for Electoral Operations and Referenda in ELECAM Centre, Aboubakar Mohaman noted that Mfoundi Division already sent their names. Work, he emphasised, intensifies everyday as the D-day approaches. He said they are working according to Section 54 (1) of the Electoral Code which provides that every polling station shall have a Local Polling Commission comprising a chairperson (a personality appointed by the Head of the Divisional Branch of Elections Cameroon), members (- a representative of each candidate, list of candidates or political party and the names of representatives of the Administration and candidates), lists of candidates or political parties chosen from among electors registered in the electoral register of the polling station concerned should be notified to the Council Branch of Elections Cameroon, no later than the sixth day before the election day).

Article (3) specifies that "The composition of each Local Polling Commission shall be approved by a decision of the Head of the Divisional Branch of Elections Cameroon."