Offices Remain Calm Awaiting Nomination Papers

ELECAM's head office in Bastos Yaounde yesterday July 16 was calm and studious.

It is today July 17, 2013 midnight that curtains will be drawn for the reception of nomination papers from candidates vying for seats in the National Assembly and councils at ELECAM Head Office, Divisional and Council branches. While waiting for real action to commence, the ELECAM head office in Bastos Yaounde yesterday July 16 remained calm, with staff going through the usual chores though with some modifications at the second floor.

Upon entry into the main door of the head office, catchy announcements are on the wall. The first announcement is to locate those concerned that the files for candidatures are submitted at the second floor of the building. While there, an inscription reads "Announcement to political parties." The main message says that (1) "Nomination papers shall be submitted at the Directorate General of Elections Cameroon for legislative elections." (2) "Council branches of Elections Cameroon for the municipal elections."

In the hall where submission proper takes place, the decor has been put in place. Tables adorned with ELECAM fabrics, writing material like pens, pencils, erasers alongside office material like files, the Electoral Code, booklets of the lists of legalised political parties in the country and a photocopy machine gives elegance to the hall. The hall has been arranged in such a way that each region knows where each political party is expected to submit nomination papers according to the region. Staff put in place for the exercise remained vigilant to any movement, ready to serve whoever came for service.

However, by 2:00 pm yesterday July 16, 2013, no political party had submitted nomination papers. The President of the Board of ELECAM, Samuel Fonkam Azu'u said he was confident that all was going to happen today (July 17, 2013). It was going to be a busy day, he explained, adding that the possibility was high that representatives of political were going to make their entry to ELECAM head office at night, as in the past. "We are ready for the exercise, the personnel has taken the necessary measures to provide seating space if for some reason we have more than one political party coming at the same time and measures have been put in place for staff to be there beyond midnight." Samuel Fonkam Azu'u also hinted that ELECAM Board members are on the field monitoring how the exercise unfolds in other parts of the country.