The Archbishop of the Yaounde Archdiocese, Victor Tonye Bakot was wednesday, October 20 at the head quarters of the Cameroon’s elections managing institution, Elections Cameroon ( ELECAM) with proposals on ways of ensuring that the 2011 presidential election in the country are free, fair, transparent and credible. The Yaounde metropolitan Archbishop who was invited by the Chairman of the Electoral Board of ELECAM, Dr Fonkam Azu’u Samuel, had discussions with some members of the board.
After the close to one hour midday discussions behind close doors, Tonye Bakot said in an interview that the 2011 presidential election in the country constitute a great moment in the life of Cameroon and must be carried out in a “ripe and responsible way”, adding that the “election must take place in an atmosphere of transparency and clarity”. He stated the involvement of all actors is needed to enable each citizen freely perform the civic responsibility of voting the Head of State. The church, the man of God stressed, has the most important role to sensitise Christians to effectively take part in the elections. “ELECAM should adequately perform its duties so that Cameroonians can have free and transparent elections”, he stressed.
Reacting in a press interview to the declaration of Archbishop Tonye Bakot, the Chairman of the Electoral Board of ELECAM, Dr Fonkam Azu’u disclosed that, “ the Archbishop handed to us a document containing his suggestions” and clarified that the “ the document has recriminations that are generally made against organisers of elections”. He said the institution will exploit the suggestions so that the 2011 presidential elections are free, fair, transparent, credible and results acceptable. The Archbishop, ELECAM Electoral board chairman disclosed, used the visit to pray for peaceful and transparent elections.
