Members of the Electoral Board
The Electoral Board
The Electoral Board ensures compliance with the electoral law by all stakeholders for the purpose of guaranteeing regular, impartial, free, fair, transparent and credible polls.
In this respect, the Electoral Board:
- carries out any verifications and controls it may deem appropriate;
- scrutinises candidacy papers and publishes the final list or lists of candidates contesting presidential, legislative, senatorial, regional and municipal elections;
- forwards election reports to the Constitutional Council or bodies provided for by the law;
- ensures the timely publication and notification of the list of members of local polling commissions to the appropriate persons specified in the electoral law, notably representatives of lists of candidates or candidates;
- controls the preparation of election material and election documents within the deadlines laid down by law;
- hears and determines claims and petitions regarding pre-election and election operations, subject to the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Council and appropriate courts or authorities;
- orders corrections warranted following consideration of claims or petitions filed in respect of elections or referendums.
Within the framework of its duties, the Electoral Board is expected to:
– adopt the by-laws of Elections Cameroon;
– submit reports and/or proposals to the relevant authorities on issues that fall within their competence;
– examine and approve draft budgets prepared by the Director General of Elections;
– approve the action programme prepared by the Director General of Elections;
– approve progress reports drawn up by the Director General of Elections;
– give its opinion or make suggestions on any election-related draft instrument submitted to it;
– on the proposal of the Director General of Elections, determine the organisation and conditions of functioning of branches.
The Electoral Board holds consultations with the Administration, the judiciary, political parties and the civil society within the framework of the management of the electoral process
– The Electoral Board comprises 18 (eighteen) members, including 1 (one) Chairperson and 1 (one) Vice-Chairperson. Members of the Electoral Board are designated from among independent personalities of Cameroonian nationality, recognised for their competence, moral uprightness, intellectual honesty, patriotism, neutrality and impartiality.
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and members of the Electoral Board are appointed by decree of the President of the Republic upon consultation with political parties represented in the National Assembly and civil society.
The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Electoral Board is the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of Elections Cameroon. The term of office of members of the Electoral Board is 4 (four) years, renewable as appropriate. Before assuming office, members of the Electoral Board take the following oath before the Constitutional Council: “I swear to fully and faithfully discharge my duties and to exercise my office without fear or favour in accordance with the Constitution and laws in force, to ensure the confidentiality of proceedings and votes, to abstain from taking public positions and to decline any consultation on matters falling within the purview of Elections Cameroon.”
They are bound to declare their property and assets. An Electoral Board member’s term of office may expire in one of the following cases:
– non-renewal of the term;
– resignation;
– death.
Where such incapacity exceeds 6 (six) months, the duties of such member may be terminated by decree of the President of the Republic. The resignation referred to above must be duly established by the Electoral Board. In such case, the member whose resignation has been established is replaced by the President of the Republic, upon consultation with the Chairperson of the Electoral Board. The member appointed then serves the remainder of the term of the person resigning. This member takes the oath as set out in Section 12 (6) of the Electoral Code.
An Electoral Board member’s term of office may be terminated in one of the following cases:
– physical or mental incapacity duly established by the Electoral Board;
– gross misconduct, notably breach of oath, duly established by the Electoral Board;
– penalty imposed for a felony (life or fixed-term imprisonment coupled with banishment and civic disqualification).
The Electoral Board holds 4 (four) ordinary sessions every year, following convening by its Chairperson. However, where appropriate or at the request of 2/3 (two-third) of its members, the Board can meet in an extraordinary session.
During an election period, the Electoral Board can meet as often as necessary.
The Electoral Board is expected to meet at least once every fortnight upon the convening of the electorate.
Meetings of the Electoral Board are convened by the Chairperson or, where the latter is unavailable, by the Vice-Chairperson.
Decisions of the Electoral Board shall be taken by consensus or, failing that, decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of members present. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have the casting vote.
The quorum must be at least 2/3 (two-thirds) of members present. Minutes of Electoral Board meetings must be taken, and signed by the Chairperson and Secretary. The secretarial services of Electoral board meetings are provided by the Directorate General of Elections.