Ahead of Oct. Presidential:

General Indignation As Elecam Merges Polling Stations In NW & SW

Elecam board chairman, Enow Abrams Egbe

North West election stakeholders especially politicians have expressed indignation at ELECAM’s decision to merge polling station as it has greatly reduced the number as compared to previous years.

This and many others were at the center of a working visit to size-up the level of preparedness of the North West Region ahead of the October 7 Presidential in a meeting in Bamenda on Friday, August 17, 2018 presided at by the Board Chairman of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), Enow Abrams Egbe.

            It is worth noting that in Belo, Boyo Division there are only 2 polling stations, when previously there were 40 polling stations; Njinikom 2 polling stations from 22; in Bui, Kumbo Central that use to harbour 62 polling stations, now has only 6, Nkor has 4 polling stations out of 41 in previous years, Nkambe Central 30, instead of 89, Nwa15 instead of 86, there will be 6 polling stations in Mezam, Bafut 3 polling stations out of 61, Bali 2 polling stations out 42, Bamenda I, 9 polling stations out of 47, Bamenda II 15 polling stations out of 47, Bamenda III 8 polling stations instead of 27, Santa 19, out of 75, Tubah 8 out of 52, Momo-Mbengwi 3 polling stations, instead of 43, Ngoketunjia- Ndop Central 11 polling stations instead of 76.

            Political analysts have expressed worries that by drastically reducing the number of polling stations, many people will be disenfranchised as they will be unable to live their areas to go and vote in others areas that are hosting the polling stations.

            Speaking during the meeting, Enow Abrams Egbe, insisted that the election must hold in the English-speaking part of Cameroon, “Come rain, come shine” despite the challenges advanced by various electoral stakeholders.

            The ELECAM Board Chair’s tour was to address pre-electoral operations like: the distribution of voters’ cards, location of polling stations, mobilisation for the distribution of voters’ cards the participation of political parties into commissions, and the designation of representatives of candidates into polling stations.