They appraised the country’s electoral process as regards the April 14 Senate elections. It was a show of solidarity, and also the quest for information on the recent convening of the Electoral College for Senate elections scheduled for April 14, 2013. The guests also sought to know if there was no incompatibility between preparing for the Senate election and the ongoing registration of Cameroonians on the voters’ lists. The High Commissioners of Britain, Joshi Bharat (Dean of High Commissioners in Cameroon); Canada, Pierre Laramee; Nigeria, Hadidza Mustapha and South Africa, Zanele Makina, discussed the issues during an audience granted them by the Chairman of Cameroon’s elections governing institution, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), Samuel Fonkam Azu’u.
Discussions were long, Fonkam Azu’u told the press after the audience. This was because ELECAM and Commonwealth countries represented in Cameroon dissected the ongoing electoral process and dates. Fonkam Azu’u and the four High Commissioners explored ways of consolidating cooperation while respecting the principles of organising elections as per their guidelines.
The Dean of High Commissioners of the Commonwealth countries accredited to Cameroon, Joshi Bharat said “The four High Commissioners are conscious that the Commonwealth was one of the very important partners when ELECAM was first created.” They therefore came to keep the relationship alive and to seek ways of contributing to the electoral process in Cameroon. Through the organisation of the October 2011 Presidential election, the British High Commissioner said, ELECAM gained a lot of credibility and continues to do so. The body, according to the British diplomat, is doing good work and all it needs now is support for the organisation of upcoming Municipal and Parliamentary elections. He however acknowledged that organising elections is a challenge.
It was the first time ELECAM was receiving High Commissioners accredited to Cameroon as a group. The body has in the past received High Commissioners accredited to the country on separate occasions. ELECAM is said to have special links with the Commonwealth given the role it played in the putting in place of the body. The President of ELECAM, Samuel Fonkam Azu’u was assisted in the audience by his veepee, Ebanga Ewodo and a member, Ahmadou Gouroudja.
