U.S On the Battlefield

The Union de mouvement socialist (UMS) party of Pierre Kwemo is working tooth and nail to win the 13 councils it is running for in September 30, 2013 twin elections. The party's officials and candidates are currently combing localities in the Upper Nkam Division of the West Region where it will be running in all the council areas.

In some council areas of the Centre Region like Yaounde II and Makene, and those of Douala II and Mbanga in the Littoral Region, the objective is the same - incite party supporters, sympathisers and the public at large to withdraw their voter's cards before polling day. UMS officials since September 1, 2013 have been visiting all the neighbourhoods of Yaounde II, beginning from Mokolo to Nkomkana. They will continue to Madasgascar, Tsinga and Brigueterie in company of ELECAM staff, distributing handbills inviting would-be voters to withdraw their cards. The exercise that ends on September 8, 2013, is intended to ensure the collection of over five million voter's cards.

On phone from the Adamawa Region, the party's National Vice President, Sani Alhadji, told Cameroon Tribune that besides sensitising the public to withdraw their cards, UMS was already putting in place strategies to ensure that impact is created during the upcoming polls. He said after the Supreme Court ruling (acting in lieu of the Constitutional Council and the Administrative Bench of the Supreme Court) on legislative and council litigations, the party's executive held a meeting at which they resolved to assist ELECAM by sensitising the public on the need to collect their cards before polling day.

After evaluating the ruling on petitions concerning the party, Sani said it was time for field tours. The stakes are high, he said and it was time enough to come out with convincing communication manifestoes ahead of the launch of campaign. "The race is tough, and it will be unwise to unveil our campaign strategies now," Sani said.