Kamto accuses Elecam of stifling voter registration process

President of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement party (CRM), Prof. Maurice Kamto, has decried what he termed numerous irregularities from Elections Cameroon (Elecam) that marred the just-ended voter registration process. 

He made the assertion during a press conference in Yaounde on Thursday, September 12. 

The irregularities he highlighted comprised lack of registration kits and a deliberate attempt to prevent Cameronians in the diaspora from enrolling in the electoral list.

According to him, only a few kits were available at registration centres, despite the resources provided by the Cameroonian people through the budget allocated to Elecam. 

Another issue he raised was the violation of legal provisions governing the conditions for registration on the electoral list in Cameroon and abroad, and the failure to comply with legal deadlines for the start and closing of the diaspora registration campaign. 

“Announcing and closing registration in Embassies happens within a short time,” Kamto said. 

“There were numerous administrative obstructions from the territorial administration, consular authorities, and the Director General of Elecam himself. This was aimed at preventing the maximum registration of voters on the list both in Cameroon and the diaspora,” he added.

Lack of Diaspora Engagement

Citing sources, including data from the Ministry of External Relations, he said the Cameroonian diaspora is estimated at 6 million people.

To him, preventing the diaspora from registering testifies that the regime fears Cameroonians living abroad, as evidenced in the numerous declarations by officials of the ruling CPDM party.

To him, the government is stigmatising the diaspora and has refused to accept dual nationality for electoral reasons.

Kamto and other opposition leaders in Cameroon are capitalizing on massive voter turnout at next year’s election to end President Paul Biya’s 42-year-rule.

There are increasing calls for the opposition to band together if they must have a chance of defeating 91-year-old President Biya.

Maurice Kamto’s press conference came amid reports that some opposition parties are working towards endorsing him as their candidate for next year’s elections.

As per the current electoral laws, the CRM is unable to contest in the 2025 elections because it lacks representation in Parliament and Municipal or Regional Council.

The presidential elections were to hold alongside the Municipal, Parliamentary, and Regional Council elections, but the CPDM-majority Parliament voted to extend the mandate of Mayors and MPs to 2026. 

This left Maurice Kamto in a tight position, with many fearing that could disqualify him from running.

Laudable Voter Turnout

The CRM president appreciated the voter enrollment recorded between January and August this year, attributing it to massive mobilization and growing political consciousness among Cameroonians.

Kamto stated that voter registration this year yielded good results, with 755,085 new voters bringing the total number to 8,016,960.

“The unprecedented figures are a real reason for encouragement,” he said, adding that his party had already congratulated the Cameroonian people for the turnout.

©Mimi Mefo Info