ELECAM restates need for collective responsibility to ensure credible polls.

The gathering was on the theme: “Presidential election 2025: Inclusive dialogue for citizen participation, a transparent and peaceful election”.

It brought together representatives of government, political parties, civil society, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the media, and international partners.

“The organisation of a peaceful election cannot be the sole responsibility of ELECAM. It is a social contract between all actors of the electoral process,” Dr Enow Abrams stated, insisting that: “Political parties must continue to promote a democratic culture based on respect for the rules, tolerance and patriotism”. 

He further stated that, “…opinion leaders must act as artisans of peace, especially in their communication in public and on social media”. 

The media, he appealed must work to relay information to the public without being sensational and partial. 

To the civil society, he appealed for generation mobilisation of citizens to participate in the process, “especially first-time voters and vulnerable groups”. Inclusivity and transparency, he noted, are essential in the acceptance of results.

Pledges transparency, urges unity

Dr Enow Egbe promised on behalf of ELECAM, transparency, stating that the legal framework in forces makes room for one man one vote and the secrecy of every ballot. 

Political parties, he said are involved in all aspects such as; commissions on electoral registers, voter cards, polling stations, supervision, and the national collation of results.

“These mechanisms are the pillars of inclusivity, transparency and credibility,” he affirmed.

The ELECAM Electoral Board chair added that preparations are advanced across the national territory and the diaspora for the success of the exercise. Special emphasis, he said, is being placed on strengthening the skills of electoral staff.

 He insisted that stakeholders “…have the collective responsibility to ensure that the 12 October presidential election takes place in an atmosphere of inclusivity, transparency and serenity,” he declared.

He told journalists that: “Our idea is to come out with solutions that will encourage peace, citizenship and development,” he said. 

Dr Enow Abrams noted that both the number of registered potential voters and presidential candidates had increased compared to previous elections.

Stakeholders raise concerns

Participants at the consultation, notably opposition political party representatives as well as members of the civil society welcomed the dialogue but questioned its effectiveness.

A representative of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, Muma Yvonne Bih said her party considered the exercise too brief to produce tangible results.

“We cannot consult people within six hours and come out with concrete resolutions. Nevertheless, as an actor, I must be present, because in politics, never abandon your chair,” she remarked.

She also pointed to insecurity in the North West and South West regions, remarking that: “I hope ELECAM will tell us how elections will effectively hold in these two regions”.

The Executive Director of Civic Watch, Dr Ngala Desmond, on his part stressed the need for the implementation of resolutions from such exchanges.

“We are one month to the election and still see hate speech, misinformation and divisive rhetoric. We hope at the end of the day we will have transparent and a credible election, not just by word but by actions,” he said.

He suggested that additional dialogue sessions could be held before polling day. Another civil society actor, Ernest Akoufou, decried that the consultation came a little late.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3562 of Friday September 12, 2025