ELECAM reveals registered some 461,559 new potential voters.

The figures were revealed yesterday in Yaounde. This was at the start of the Second Ordinary Session of the Electoral Board for the year 2024.

The session was equally an opportunity to review the status of the execution of the mid-term 2024 budget as well as the examination and adoption of the draft budget for the 2025 financial year.

There was also the review of the draft budget for the 2025 elections. The drafts will be forwarded to government in accordance with the provisions of Article 33 paragraph 2 of the Electoral Code.

According to Dr Abrams Egbe, some 461,559 potential voters have been enrolled since the start of the 2024 revision. The figure, he said, represent a significant increase of 218.73% as compared to the previous quarter. 

“These registrants include 185,342 women, 303,757 youth between the ages of 20 and 35, and 336 persons living with a disability,” Dr Abrams Egbe stated.

He noted that with the said new figures, the national electoral register stands at 7,823,434 registered voters.

“Specifically, women account for 3,614,367 of the total, i.e. a rate of 46.19%, while youth 2,761,595 and persons with disabilities represent 32,533 with a total of 35.29% and 0.41% respectively,” he detailed. 

The figure, Dr Abrams Egbe stated, are encouraging and gives them hope for a better result with the combined efforts of all those on the field.

He equally called on the board member to continue to with precision, objectivity, responsibility and, above all, realism, in line with their strategic objectives. According to Dr Abrams Egbe, the task ahead is huge.

“Securing the national electoral roll following the renewal of the biometric and IT infrastructures; broadening the electoral base, with the potential increase in the number of polling stations, in response to the enthusiasm and calls from the public for massive voter registration; the ever-increasing demands of the electorate, requiring high quality in the provision of our services,” he said. 

He said ELECAM, as a “results-oriented institution”, is focusing on “the crucial aspects likely to enable us to achieve our missions and objectives”. 

“We must acknowledge the efforts made, in view of the palpable results we have already achieved, it is my duty to urge each and every one of us here today to remain steadfast in our commitment to improve our performance in order to increase the confidence of the public and our partners, to ensure the professionalism and lasting credibility of our institution,” Dr Abrams Egbe said.

He equally stated that the more the work they have, the greater their challenges. With regards to the implementation of the 2024 training plan adopted by the Electoral Council, Dr Abrams Egbe noted that till date, some ten training courses have been held

The trainings, he explained, have been beneficiary to staff from both central and territorial services. 

Political parties appreciated

Dr Abrams Egbe during the opening session, equally hailed the efforts of the political parties and civil society players. He praised them for raising awareness.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the constant support provided by the administrations, which provide all the necessary support to our enrolment teams in the field, whenever necessary,” he noted.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3152 of Friday June 28, 2024