Chamber of Commerce members vote to choose new leadership.

The elections, which took place on July 23, 2024, saw business leaders from across the nation casting their votes to determine who will guide the consular institution for the next four years.

Among the early voters was Christophe Eken, the incumbent president, who is also seeking reelection with the new bureau. The new bureau will be elected following a list system.

Speaking to reporters after casting his votes at that regional headquarters of CCIMA in Bonanjo, Douala, Christophe Eken noted that he was out in fulfilment of his duty as a member of the business community. 

He called on all stakeholders to do their part to ensure that voting takes place in all tranquility as required.

Over 160,000 voters took part in the election nationwide, with polling stations set up across four sections and nine subsections. In Douala, over 8,000 voters were expected to cast their ballots at 29 different polling stations. 

The electoral commission has implemented several measures to ensure a fair and transparent process, including the use of transparent ballot boxes. 

"Polling stations are scheduled to close at 6:00 p.m. local time, with the counting of votes commencing immediately after. Preliminary results are expected within 15 days," Halidou Bello, Secretary General of the electoral commission, said.

The president of the chamber of commerce, a crucial figure in shaping Cameroon's economic landscape, will be appointed from among the 160 elected members by the President of the Republic. 

This decision, it was revealed, shall be made within 30 days after all reports have been handed by Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, to appropriate quarters.

The decision to incorporate ELECAM in the whole process, according to the CCIMA's election commission head, was to ensure transparency.

"ELECAM ensured they provided us with ballot boxes at all polling stations. They are here to make sure all goes on well," Halidou Bello said. 

The national electoral commission of CCIMA will have two weeks to gather results from all polling stations. The results will be handed to the president of the Republic who has at most 30 days to declare the new president.  

About Chamber of Commerce 

As common with consular assemblies, the Chamber of Commerce, CCIMA, is a consultative organ representing the business community in the spheres of trade, industry, mines and crafts. 

It was created in 1921 and its head office is located in Douala. Since January 25, 2008, Christophe Eken, a Douala-based businessman, has been at its helm.

CCIMA is assigned the main missions of acting as a link between the business community and public authorities in the areas of consultation and representation in many domains, prominent among which is the economy. 

It also develops many activities for the guidance and especially the promotion of industrial and trading companies through: gathering, processing and disseminating economic and commercial information; issuing publications; assisting in enterprise creation; international trade; promoting exports during trade fairs and exhibitions; assistance in the search for partners; organising vocational training. 

It maintains a network of relations with trade chambers from all countries and international organisations with an interest in the activities of the private sector. Generally speaking, all industrial and trading companies are members of the CCIMA.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3179 of Thursday July 25, 2024