President Paul Biya Friday, December 20, appointed new board members of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the elections management body in Cameroon.
While he appointed two new officials into the board, President Biya renewed mandates of four incumbents.
Among those whose mandates he renewed is Christopher Tambe Tiku. He is the head of the South West Branch of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission.
Biya appointed Moutou Ze Jean Bernard and Nanga Charles new board members of ELECAM.
Meanwhile, he renewed the mandates of Titi Nwel Pierre, Tambe Tiku, Mohammadou Boubakar and Njipendi Salifou — all incumbent board members of ELECAM.
These developments are coming as the country braces up for presidential elections next year.
Elections Cameroon, among other duties, is responsible for organising and supervising elections and referendums in Cameroon.
The body is headed by Enow Abrams Egbe as Board Chair and Dr Erik Essousse as Director General.
Neutrality of ELECAM Board Questioned
While the law obliges ELECAM workers and board members to be politically neutral, the opposition and civil society in Cameroon has often doubted their neutrality.
The body has over the years been accused of manipulating elections figures to keep president Paul Biya in power for 42 years.
Some politicians have already contested the neutrality of the newly appointed board members.
They alleged some of the appointees are close to the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement party (CPDM).
One of them is the leader of the National Republican Forum, Mbvoum Aloys Parfait.
In a letter addressed to the President of the Republic, Parfait contested the appointment of Jean Bernard Mboutou Ze and Charles Nanga to the ELECAM board.
“This decision is unacceptable because it violates the neutrality and independence of this institution,” said Mbvoum Aloys Parfait.
“The appointment of members of the ruling party to the Electoral board of Elecam creates a conflict of interest and challenges the credibility of the elections,” he added.
He urged President Paul Biya to reconsider his decision and appoint independent and neutral people to the elections board.
“It is important to preserve citizens’ trust in electoral institutions and ensure that elections are free, fair and transparent.”
