Full Biometric Technology Recommended for Elections

The Human Rights Commission has recommendations for ELECAM, government and parties.

The National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms has recommended the use biometric technology in all phases of the electoral process in the country, the carving out of new electoral constituencies based on geography and population and a vibrant civil society and press.

The Chairperson of the Commission, Dr Divine Chemuta Banda made the recommendations in Yaounde on October 22, 2013 in a press conference on the Commission's observation of the September 30, 2013 municipal and legislative elections.

"We are making progress in Cameroon in the promotion of good practices much to the admiration of the international observers", Dr Chemuta Banda said. He stated that, "More engagement is required. No boycott is encouraged. The civil society and media must at all times be responsibly vibrant and must continue to work hard with human rights defenders."

The Commission dispatched 90 observers to 37 Divisions of the country who monitored the distribution of voter's cards, conduct of campaigns, publication of voter's lists, organization of polling stations and the presence of other actors who included observers and journalists.

Good practices observed, Dr Chemuta Banda said were assistance to the disabled, aged and pregnant women to vote, guidance given illiterate voters, progress in respect of gender aspect by political parties in nominating candidates and the adoption of proximity campaign approach. Bad practices, he said, included the buying of votes, influence of voters by some traditional rulers, electors who cast their votes without National Identity Cards, buying of voter's cards noticeable in Ngaoundere and the falsification of results retain reports by some Chairpersons of Local Polling Commissions.

To improve on the organization of future elections, the Human Rights Commission has made a series of recommendations to Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, among which are the extension of biometric technology to all phases of elections, enable national observers and journalists vote wherever they are, improve lighting system in polling stations and special measures to cater for vulnerable people.

Government, the Commission recommended should revise the Electoral Code, fight corruption at all levels of the process and improve the deployment of forces of law and order throughout the national territory. Political parties on their part, have to train and educate their supporters, ensure their representation in all polling stations and avoid meddling in security issues in the electoral operations.