Petition to Constitutional Council:

SDF Wants Senate Election in SW Cancelled

SDF has contested the senatorial election in SW

Cameroon’s main opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF) wants the recently held Senatorial elections cancelled in the entire South West region of the country. Reports indicate that the party has on Wednesday filed a petition at the Constitutional Court to that effect.

            The SDF tabled claims of fraud particularly in the town of Lebialem and security incidents that marred the process in Bangem.

            The South West region and North West regions that make up the Anglophone regions of Cameroon have been riled by violence since October 2017 when separatists groups under the so-called Ambazonia Republic attempted to declare independence.

            The two regions have been under curfew as a result of attacks on members of the security forces. Separatists under the banner of the Ambazonia Defense Force (ADF) have killed over twenty security forces in guerilla-styled attacks.

            Security in the two regions remains a major worry especially as a series of elections have been programmed for the months ahead.

            The Senatorial polls of March 25 were the first in a multi-election year for the Central African country.

            Cameroon’s Senate has 100 senators 70 of whom are elected by municipal councillors across the country. The remaining 30 are appointed by the President of the Republic.

            The Senate polls will be followed by council, legislative and presidential elections later this year. The respective dates are yet to be determined by the President.