CPDM local authorities in Momo west in Widikum have continue to sensitize eligible voters in the section on the need to have their names enlisted in any Elecam branch office in accordance with Section 74 (2) of the Electoral Code.
Local Party authorities have been holding restrained meetings and making great use of the social media to educate militants and sympathisers in the section to that effect. Conscious of the fact that the exercise is gradually drawing to a close, the local CPDM authorities are making sure that persons of voting age get registered.
This mobilization work is spearheaded by the section President Akwa Stephen Tambu. He is taking advantage of the gradual return of peace in the area to get a maximum number of voters registered on electoral lists. According to Akwa Stephen, “a good number of our people have been registering but there is need for us to continue to sound the bells. It is a reminder for those who are yet to join the train. The response so far is good but for the fact that some potential voters’ lack valid documents like birth certificates and identity cards”, the section president said. The lack of these documents is a major setback, and requires prompt intervention. Due to distance and cost for the people to go to Mbengwi for the establishment of identity cards, some persons stay back and complain. The situation has been tabled to the elite of the section by the Section president who suggests that as a means of encouragement, identification stations should be created in Widikum.
Meanwhile in order not to allow eligible voters behind, the local authorities have been facilitating the exercise for them by helping those who want to register but lack identification papers to acquire them at little or no cost. Another reason the section President considers as he carries out the mobilization work is the fact that “at the beginning of an exercise like this there is usually luke warmness, but when the end approaches many people get involved and get more interested over time and the number of those registered increases.” he said.
George Empo an Elecam official in the area also said, “We are always in the office during official working hours to register people, give voters’ cards or any requested information about ELECAM to citizens who solicit”. The annual revision of the electoral registers in Cameroon commences, on 1 January and ends on 31August of every year as stipulated in the Code.
Irene AWENEG
