senate nominations end in 15 days!

The first-ever senate elections in Cameroon are to hold on April 14, 2013.

There is bustling and hustling in Cameroon's political landscape following the decree of the President of the Republic on February 27, 2013 convening the country's first-ever elections of Senators for April 14, 2013. It is therefore important to understand who can be candidate, constitution of the list of candidates, electoral constituency, voting system and the organizer of the elections.

Who can be candidate?

Section 220 paragraph one of the Electoral Code states that, "Candidates for the office of Senator, as well as the personalities appointed to the said office must have reached the age of 40 years by the date of election or appointment." Paragraph two of the same section specifies that the candidate must be of Cameroonian nationality and must provide evidence of effective residence in the territory of the Region concerned.

Who nominates candidates?

The President of the Electoral Board of the elections and referenda institution in Cameroon, Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, Dr Fonkam Azu'u Samuel in a press release after the decree convening the electoral college for the election of senators, made an appeal to political parties. He invited political parties wishing to take part in the election of Senators in each Region to present a list of seven substantive and seven alternate candidates, selected from among their members.

When and where to submit nomination papers?

Section 164 of the Electoral Code that regulates both the election of Members of Parliament and Senators, states that, "Candidatures shall, within 15 days from the convening of the electorate, be made out in nomination paper in triplicate, bearing the legalized signature of candidates. The nomination of candidates therefore, must be made by March 13, 2013.

The nomination papers shall be submitted and registered, against a receipt at the General Directorate of Elections in ELECAM or at the divisional branch of ELECAM of the constituency concerned. The candidate or his representatives will have to submit a copy of the nomination paper to the Constitutional Council against acknowledgement receipt.

Who are the electors?

The Constitution states that the country has 100 Senators, 70 of whom are elected and 30 appointed by decree of the President of the Republic. Each Region has 10 Senators, seven of whom are elected and three appointed. The Region is the electoral constituency. Section 222 of the Electoral Code makes it clear that, "Senators shall be elected in each Region by an electoral college comprising regional and municipal councilors". The April 14, 2013 election will concern only municipal councilors, as Regional Councils are not yet functional.

What is the mode of election?

Section 217 of the Electoral Code in paragraph two states that "Senatorial elections shall be by list system." Section 218 of the same Code specifies that "Every political party taking part in the election shall present a full list of seven candidates selected from among its members. For each seat, there shall be a substantive candidate and his alternate, both of whom shall appear before the Electoral College at the same time."