9 February Legislative Election:

Constitutional Council Cancels Election in 11 Constituencies

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

The Constitutional Council has ordered a rerun of the 9 February 2020 legislative polls in some parts of the two Anglophone regions. Clement Atanga, President of the Council took the decision Tuesday 25 February 2020 during post electoral litigations.

                The judgment was delivered following debates on eleven petitions filed by the Social Democratic Front (SDF) party against the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) and the Ministry of Territorial Administration (MINAT).

                The SDF party in their petitions called for a partial cancellations of elections in the two regions, arguing, that: insecurity, low voter turnout in both Anglophone regions because of tense security atmosphere as well as ELECAM’s violating the electoral code by grouping several polling stations into polling centres thereby making it difficult for voters to identify their polling stations, marred the process.

                The heated debates that ensued from the CPDM on the concerns raised by the SDF led to a suspension of deliberations twice before the findings of the reporting judge was delivered.

                “…We find merit in the petitions and hold that there were irregularities in the electoral operations of February 9, 2020 to elect members of parliament which influenced the outcome of the elections and entirely grant the prayers of the petitioners that the said election in Menchum North, Bui West, Mezam South, Bui Centre, Bui South, Mezam Centre, Lebialem, Momo East, Menchum South, Momo West and Mezam North constituencies be cancelled and a rerun ordered in compliance with Section 135 of the electoral code,” Prof. Paul Nkwi, reporting judge said in his preliminary report, a decision that was later endorsed by Clement Atangana.

                Speaking shortly after the verdict, SDF petitioner, Hon. Joseph Mbah Ndam saluted the decision, adding, that it is a clear indication that if petitions are well written and points advanced to back them up, the constitutional council will listen and take a just decision. The CPDM party represented by Gregoire Owona, assistant SG, accepted the verdict though dissatisfied.

                As per the Electoral Code in its section 135(1), the Minister of Territorial Administration and Elections Cameroon are to be notified in the event of cancellation immediately. It adds in its section 135(2) that a rerun of the polls is expected within no less than 20 days and no more than 40 days after the cancellation.