Statistics in Cameroon’s elections managing institution, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) show that as at October 12, 2010, about 110,000 new voters were already enrolled in the electoral register nationwide. According to the statistics, the East Region is topping the registration chart with about 19,000 registered new voters, followed by the North Region with 18,000 new voters and the Littoral Region comes last with about 4,000 new registered voters.
The figure, reliable sources at Elections Cameroon indicate, is largely below the number of voters who visit the permanent voter registration centres located at the ELECAM Council branch offices, as old voters come to check their names in the register and make necessary corrections. Old voters, especially those who enrolled for the 2007 double municipal and legislative elections are registered as fresh voters when the information in the revised register is incomplete. Priority, ELECAM officials say, is given to new voters who are issued receipts immediately they enrol their names in the electoral register to enable them get voters cards when the time comes, stating that voters cards will be issued to all voters whose names are in the register.
A hustle and bustle is envisaged soon in the voter registration exercise. Dependable sources at ELECAM head office say the institution is working towards rendering the Joint Voter Registration Commissions rapidly operational so that they can go down to the field to ensure that all potential voters have the possibility to enrol their names in the electoral register. For now, potential new voters have to cover scores of kilometres to register in the permanent registration centres at ELECAM Council branch offices. The institution is also exploring the possibilities of increasing the number of permanent registration centres in some municipalities in urban centres.
The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement through its planned nationwide campaign to intensify the registration of its members and supporters of President Paul Biya give a strong signal of a possible intensive action in the voter registration exercise. Other political parties and civil society organisations who through various media have indicated their willingness to participate in the 2011 presidential election, will certainly follow the CPDM example. As the election day draws nearer, present lukewarm potential voters will surely make up their minds and register to vote the Head of State, come the 2011 election.
