Effective Voter Registration Still to Begin in South West

In spite of the readiness of ELECAM in some divisions, the population is yet to turn up for registration.

The South West region is still gathering momentum to begin the registration of Cameroonians of voting age into the electoral lists following the opening of voters' registers across the country on 2 January 2014. The exercise is still to effectively kick off in the region due to technical and logistical reasons.

According to the South West Delegate of ELECAM, Mr. Emmanuel Njang, the exercise began on the 2nd January in Fako and Meme and will progressively be launched in other divisions. The delay, the Delegate said, is due to the fact that registration kits (machines) from other divisions were brought to Buea for refurbishing (updating) and have not been completely sent back to all divisions. The offices are however operating and data is being kept at the divisions until when all the machines are sent back to the divisions, the delegate explained.

Mr Njang added that kick off is also delayed because the list of proposed members of the registration commission was not submitted on time.

Meanwhile, when CT visited the ELECAM Buea Council office, the Branch Head, Mme Betty Efosi Ndoko, said no potential voter have been registered so far. She said, one registration kit is available for now and more will be brought if need arises. The Council Branch Head indicated that those who have just attained voting age, those who have never been registered and those whose voters' cards had errors are all expected to show up at ELECAM offices.