Kits for voter registration and national identity card issuance were discovered and installed in a private residence in Massangam, located in the West Region of Cameroon, sparking public outrage.
The residence reportedly belongs to a member of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the equipment found in the private home included tools for the creation of national identity cards and the registration of voters for upcoming elections.
This revelation incited public fury, prompting citizens to block roads and compel authorities to intervene.
The opposition coalition and civil society groups condemned the incident, alleging that it foreshadows pre-election fraud and directly implicates high-ranking officials, including the General Delegate for National Security and the Director-General of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM).
However, the government-owned newspaper, Cameroon Tribune, offered a different perspective, portraying the installation as a routine voter registration drive and providing national identity cards.
According to the publication, the initiative aims to benefit residents of Massangam by providing them with free national identity cards.
According to reports, Vessah Mohamed Kossovo, a village leader, established a mobile registration station in Mansouen that has already enrolled about 60 people.
After receiving their receipts, these beneficiaries proceed to register to vote.
Additionally, ELECAM has set up a communal registration station in Massangam, alleviating the burden for residents who previously lacked national identity cards due to financial constraints preventing them from reaching the nearest identification center in Foumbot.
The conflicting narratives surrounding this incident underscore the deep-seated tensions surrounding electoral processes in Cameroon, where accusations of fraud and irregularities are not uncommon.
The country is gearing up for three crucial elections next year, including the Presidential elections.
And the ruling party, headed by President Paul Biya, who has been in power for more than 40 years now, wants to maintain its grip on power.
Judging from past elections, which have been marred by allegations of vote buying, fraud, and rigging, the integrity of the electoral system remains a focal point of concern for citizens and political stakeholders.
