Disô: The Citizen-Led Project Aiming to Protect Every Vote in Cameroon

As Cameroon prepares for one of the most consequential elections in its recent history, a citizen-driven initiative is quietly reshaping how electoral transparency may be achieved. Known as Disô—meaning “sentinel” in several local dialects—the project is mobilising tens of thousands of volunteers to serve as peaceful, non-partisan observers at polling stations across the country.

Led by the civic movement Les Bâtisseurs de la Nation (The Nation Builders), Disô is gaining momentum in all ten regions. The project’s goal is to deploy 30,000 trained observers. That means at least one for each of Cameroon’s polling stations. These will monitor voting, collect real-time data, and transmit election results using a specially developed mobile platform.

“We’re not just monitoring elections—we’re protecting the people’s voice,” says Michele Ndoki, lawyer and co-founder of the initiative. “Our system ensures that by 10 p.m. on election night, we’ll have the real results. By the next morning, the entire country will know who won—before any results are altered.”

The innovation lies in the technology: the Disô app allows volunteers to submit reports and photos of official results sheets (procès-verbaux)—even without internet access. A text-based offline mode ensures data transmission from even the most remote corners of the country.

But beyond technology, Disô is betting on people power. Over the past two years, the core team—including civil society leaders Joseph Essama, Nathalie Yakam, and Dr. Maria Ayuk—has built a grassroots network spanning churches, mosques, political parties, traditional rulers, and youth organisations.

“This is the first time we’re seeing such a broad coalition across tribal, regional, and political lines,” explains Kingsley Sheteh Newuh, co-founder and strategy lead. “Everyone agrees on one thing: we need free and fair elections.”

Not Just About Voting, But About Trust

Disô emerges at a time when public trust in Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) is at a historic low. Recent controversies around party registration and the constitutional council’s role have led many Cameroonians to question the independence of official institutions.

That’s why Disô aims not only to observe, but to document and deter fraud before results are manipulated during collation.

“Historically, rigging in Cameroon happens not at polling stations but in the days that follow—during central collation and the final declaration,” says Ndoki. “If we already have the correct results in hand, attempts to alter them can be exposed instantly.”

Safety First

Organisers are quick to emphasise that Disô is strictly peaceful and legal.Trainers prepare volunteers to observe without interfering. If any situation becomes unsafe, they must leave and report the incident.

Observers will not wear branded t-shirts or carry visible identifiers to reduce risks of intimidation or obstruction.

In sensitive zones like military barracks, civilian volunteers will not be deployed. Instead, discrepancies will be flagged based on voter roll data and patterns.

The Call to Action

Disô is currently registering volunteers via its website and WhatsApp, encouraging Cameroonians from all walks of life to get involved—especially first-time voters, teachers, health workers, and members of religious or cultural groups.

“This isn’t about who you vote for. It’s about making sure your vote is counted,” says Newuh. “Democracy isn’t a spectator sport—it’s something we must all defend.”

Analysts already describe Disô as one of the most ambitious and grassroots election-monitoring efforts in Cameroon’s history. With just months to go before the vote, it provides a rare beacon of hope. If successful, it could set a new standard for citizen engagement in Africa’s electoral processes.

To join or support the project, contact via WhatsApp: https://wa.link/qimwu3 or email: hello@lesbatisseurs-cm.com.

MMI