In Cameroon, the issue of consensual and participatory reform of the electoral code is attracting the attention of opposition parties and civil society organizations. Meeting on August 8 in Yaoundé, they pledged to work together to achieve a revision of the electoral code before the next elections.
This consultation, which brought together political parties such as the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC) or the Democratic Union of Cameroon (UDC), as well as representatives of civil society organizations such as the NGO Un Monde à Coming to the Network of Human Rights Defenders in Central Africa (Redhac) is an important step in the quest for consensus around this crucial reform.
The main objective of this collaboration is to put pressure on the power in place so that it agrees to start a revision of the electoral code. The current code, adopted in 2012 by the ruling party, the Democratic Rally of the Cameroonian People (RDPC), is considered to be unrepresentative of the aspirations of the various political forces in the country.
Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, president of the UDC and spokesperson for the group of opposition political parties, stresses the importance of reaching a consensual electoral law, adopted in parliament. She believes that the adoption of the current electoral code by a single party is a negative signal.
With the next elections imminent, time is running out to achieve this reform. This is why the group suggests focusing on the emergency points, by identifying the priority changes to be made to the electoral code. This pragmatic approach would allow rapid progress on certain key aspects, while recognizing the time constraints facing the government.
It is also worth underlining the importance of this reform in the regional context, marked by an upsurge in coups d’état in West Africa. Civil society and the opposition warn of potential risks and work to anticipate such threats in Cameroon. It is crucial to learn from the experiences of neighboring countries and take the necessary measures to prevent any conflict or external interference that could disrupt the electoral process.
In the coming days, civil society and the opposition plan to launch an extensive information and sensitization campaign with other key actors such as traditional leaders, religious leaders and the media. This initiative aims to mobilize wider support for the reform of the electoral code and to guarantee its consensual and participatory character.
In conclusion, the meeting between the opposition and civil society in Cameroon marks an important step towards a consensual and participatory reform of the electoral code. This collaboration aims to guarantee fairer and more transparent elections, by involving all the political and social actors in the country. It will be crucial to closely monitor future developments and support this reform process to strengthen democracy in Cameroon