Campaigns start in Cameroon today Saturday, November 21st 2020, ahead of the country’s first regional election to take place on Sunday, December 6th 2020.
Municipal councilors and traditional rulers are legitimate electorates of the election. Despite the boycott of the election by the Social Democratic Front (SDF), other opposition political parties are in competition with the ruling Cameroon People Democratic Movement (CPDM). PRCN of Cabral Libii for instance is launching campaign in the Littoral region.
As political parties start campaign, some analysts say the results of the polls can as well be predicted without any room for mistakes. To those who hold the opinion, “the CPDM party runs over 80% of councils in Cameroon and with firm party instructions for all councillors of the party to vote for their comrades seeking regional seats, it evident that victory is assured”.
Beside that, some Cameroonians share the opinion that most traditional rulers are controlled by the minister of territorial administration and thus, will definitely vote for the ruling party on December 6th.
In the English-speaking North West and South West regions of Cameroon, insecurity remains the major challenge for all political parties including the ruling Cameroon People Democratic Movement.
Separatists fighting for the restoration of Ambazonia statehood who have made some parts of the restive regions ungovernable, have also vowed to disrupt polls. A warning the military is determine to stop at all cost.
Regional councils, government says is the last institution to be put in place to enhance effective decentralisation of power in Cameroon.
Cameroonians, however, say they are watching to see what magic regional councils will play to get power in hands of people when officials in Yaounde and not ready to disburse finances to enhance the process.
Mbatho Ntan.
