New SW Elecam Delegate Vows ‘Impartial, Neutral’ Leadership Ahead of Long-delayed Local Elections

By Tata Mbunwe

The newly installed Regional Delegate for Elections Cameroon (Elecam) in the South West region has pledged to treat all political parties with “impartially” and “neutrality,” as the region prepares for municipal and legislative elections, which have suffered repeated postponements.

Dr Abdoullahi Boboe, 52, was installed in Buea by Elecam’s Director General, Dr Erik Essousse, on May 29.

He replaces Zofoa Njoya Sake, who was transferred to the West Region in the same capacity.

Boboe previously served as regional delegate in Adamawa before his transfer to the South West.

Dr Essousse tasked the new delegate with creating an enabling environment for all political parties ahead of next year’s local elections.

The elections, originally scheduled to hold in February 2025, have been postponed at least twice. The latest postponement came after President Paul Biya extended the mandate of municipal councillors and Members of Parliament to February 2027.

The extended delay has left many constituencies without representation as over 20 MPs have died since the last election in February 2020, according a report by MMI News.

Speaking after his installation, Dr Boboe described his posting to the South West region as a “privilege”.

He said he would consult with other election stakeholders and pledged to carry out his duties impartially.

“My goal is to manage the upcoming elections impartially, with neutrality, so that the people are satisfied with Elecam’s work,” Boboe said.

His pledge towards impartiality comes as political actors have often accused Elecam of giving preferential treatment to the ruling CPDM party, which has ruled Cameroon since its founding in 1985.

Such accusations resurfaced from prominent politicians such as Maurice Kamto, who repeatedly faulted Elecam for delaying the publication of the voter register and accused the election management body of manipulating voter registrations.

Dr Boboe’s appointment comes at a turbulent moment for the South West, one of two English-speaking regions that have been grappling with a separatist armed conflict since 2017.

Organizing elections in the region has proven challenging due to security concerns, with low voter turnout recorded in previous polls.