Chamber of commerce elections slated July 23.

To this effect, Halidou Bello, Secretary of the Electoral Commission, who also doubles as the Secretary General of CCIMA, organised a press briefing on Friday, July 12, at the CCIMA's Consular Institution in Bonanjo, Douala. 

The press briefing aimed to provide comprehensive information on the upcoming elections, outlining procedures, timelines, and other pertinent details crucial to the electoral process.

In his address, the Secretary General emphasised the collaborative effort behind the elections, highlighting the support of administrative authorities across all regions of Cameroon. 

"We have the support of administrative authorities in all the regions, which are going to accompany the process from the beginning to the end," he said. 

"In partnership with Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, that has seen to the placement of voting points throughout the national territory, that is to say that as of now, all is being done for the elections to go on normally on July 23, 2024," Halidou added.

The partnership with ELECAM is expected to ensure a robust oversight throughout the electoral proceedings, safeguarding transparency and accountability.

Electoral mechanics, participation criteria

The electoral process is structured to be inclusive, yet rigorous. It comprises consular elections, involving nine lists that represent subsections of four sections. These sections encompass a total of 160 economic operators, comprising both individuals and corporate entities eligible to participate in the elections. 

Importantly, candidacy is restricted to these predefined economic operators, underscoring the specialised nature of CCIMA's electoral process.

The journey towards electing new leadership began in November 2023. Following the elections on July 23, the results are expected within 15 days. 

Subsequently, the elected members will be presented to the President of the Republic for final approval, a process expected to conclude within 30 days from the announcement of results.

Beyond the election itself, the establishment of CCIMA's governing body will commence with a preliminary constitutive assembly. 

This assembly will convene all 160 members, facilitating crucial discussions and appointments necessary for the formation of the executive bureau and other strategic leadership roles within the institution.

The upcoming elections are poised to attract considerable attention from industry stakeholders, government bodies, and the general public alike. 

As a cornerstone of Cameroon's economic infrastructure, CCIMA is viewed by many to play a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that drive economic growth and industrial development.

 This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3170 of Tuesday July 16, 2024