FAQ

Electoral Education

FAQ

This is a piece of paper used to record the choice of voters and on which is written the name of the candidate.

This is a hall in which voting takes place.

This is the period preceding an election during which candidates and their parties “conduct campaign”, that is, project themselves in a bid to secure the greatest number of votes possible.

It is defined as the eligibility to be an elector or candidate for an election.

This is the card used during an election.

This is an area of the territory serving as setting for the conduct of electoral operations. The council is the constituency for municipal elections.

This is a body of texts governing elections and defining the conduct of electoral operations, be it the convening or posting of posters relating to the elections. It equally contains the manner by which the polling station must be managed (persons present, for instance) as well as the manner by which voters cast their votes.

This is a group of restricted persons of similar capacity who are convened to vote.

This is a set of electors eligible to participate in an election (local, national, etc) and enjoying the right to vote in a given election.

This is a temporary structure put in place to accomplish specific tasks during elections.

It is a commission composed of members representing several independent entities (the administration, political parties, candidates, etc).

This is a commission charged with the final and official counting of votes recorded by the different political parties running.

It is a commission set up at grassroots level to manage voting.

This is a commission superseding local polling commissions and charged with coordinating their operations.

This is the jurisdiction charged with ensuring that the Constitution of the country is observed in all election-related aspects.

This is the organ of Elections Cameroon charged with ensuring compliance with the electoral law of all stakeholders for the purpose of guaranteeing regular, impartial, free, fair, transparent and credible polls.

It is the elected organ charged with running the business of the Council or decentralised territorial authority.

He/She is a member of the Municipal Council.

This comprises of any misunderstanding arising from elections (contention of operations, results, various petitions, etc).

This is a local representation of Elections Cameroon.

This is the counting ballots during a poll.

This is the process, action and result of the act of designating (that is choosing) one person, group, a party or an option by casting a vote.

This is the competence, qualification to be elected, for a candidate who fulfils all the required conditions for an election.

This is a document containing all electors as well as their identifications.

It refers to disqualification from running for office for failing to satisfy all the required conditions.

This is a physical unit set up in a polling station to secure secrecy as electors make their choice of whom they wish to vote. Introduced in Australia in 1857, such unit is generally a steel box, closed by a curtain nowadays.

It is the term of office for an elected person.

He/She is the person chosen by a candidate or party to advocate for their interests in their absence.

This is a neutral person or body charged with ascertaining that the election is conducted in a regular manner.

This is a system of vote where electors vote, and then seats are awarded to the different political parties in proportion to the number of votes they have obtained. Seats are awarded to the elected candidates in each of the lists by their order of appearance.

This is a document in which the conduct of polling operations is faithfully recorded and which is considered authentic at the proclamation of results.

This is the final counting of ballots cast.

This is a procedure by which every citizen of a given territory is invited to express their view on a proposal made to them, concerning a measure that another authority has taken or intends to take.

It entails the fresh enrolment on electoral registers of all electors, in replacement of the existing registers.

This is the clean up and update of the existing electoral registers.

It is individual voting, where no elector is aware of the option of other electors.

It is any person who takes part in polling operations in any of the phases in a polling station.

This is the set of operations relating to voting during an election.

This is the method used in expressing one’s views during an election.

This is a position available for competition in a municipal, legislative or senatorial election.

This is a method of voting by which electors chose a person without any Interference from a third party.

This is a method of voting at two or more levels, where electors choose persons who subsequently elect their representative (s).

This is an elected person who can only occupy the elective seat when the substantive is unable to do so anymore.

This a person elected to occupy a position or a seat.

This is a recipient used in polls where secret ballots are dropped.

This is a method that avails a group of persons the opportunity to take a common decision within a given lapse of time.

Every person of Cameroonian nationality of either sex, who has reached the age of 20 (twenty) years, is registered on an electoral register and is free from all cases of disqualification provided for by law.

Every Cameroonian citizen enjoying the right to vote who has their home or place of abode within a council area or has actually been resident therein for at least the last 6 (six) months.

Of course, you can because every Cameroonian citizen who does not satisfy the age or residence conditions at the time of revision of electoral registers may be entered in the electoral register, provided they satisfy such conditions before the final closure of the said register or, if need be, on polling day.

Why not? Know that every member of the Armed Forces and person of equivalent status in any corps may be entered in the electoral register of the place where their unit or home port is established without taking into account the residence condition.

Sure, for every citizen who proves that their name is on the income tax assessment list of a given constituency for the fifth consecutive year may likewise be entered on the electoral register of such constituency. In your case, your request for registration must include an attestation of non-registration on an electoral register or deletion, issued by the ELECAM council branch of your usual place of residence or abode.

No, since whoever has been convicted of a felony, even by default; has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment, without suspension, of more than 3 (three) months; has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment, accompanied by suspension of sentence or probation, of more than 6 (six) months; is the subject of a warrant arrest; is an un-discharged bankrupt who has been so adjudged either by a Cameroonian court or a foreign judgment enforceable in Cameroon; is insane or of unsoundmind; cannot be entered on the electoral register. Also, whoever has been convicted of any offence against the security of the State, without being rehabilitated or granted amnesty, may not be entered on any electoral register for a period of 10 (ten) years. The said period runs from the day of release for persons sentenced to a term of imprisonment or from the day of payment of the fine, where applicable.

It’s simple, Cameroonian citizens settled or residing abroad can exercise their right to vote through their participation in the election of the President of the Republic and in referendums. In this respect, they must enjoy their civic and political rights and fulfil all the required conditions to be an elector.

They can enrol on electoral registers opened within diplomatic representations and consular posts in their countries of residence or attachment.

At polling stations set up at the level of diplomatic representations and consular posts, on the proposal of Government.

They are drawn up by branches of Elections Cameroon, in conjunction with the competent joint commissions.

 

No, they are drawn up and kept at the level every council. An electoral register is equally drawn up for every polling station. In this regard, a commission charged with the revision of electoral registers is put in place at the level of every council. Where the area or size of the population of the council so warrants, the Director General of Elections may set up several electoral register revision commissions.

The commission charged with the revision of electoral registers is composed of a Chairperson, who is a representative of Elections Cameroon, appointed by the Head of the Divisional Branch of Elections Cameroon and members include: a representative of the Administration, appointed by the Sub-divisional Officer; the Mayor, or a Deputy Mayor or a Municipal Councillor, appointed by the Mayor;

- a representative of each legally authorised political party operating within the jurisdiction of the council concerned.

The electoral register contains your full name, date and place of birth, occupation, domicile or residence.

 

No, nobody is allowed to enrol on more than one electoral register or several times on the same register. Where an elector has enrolled several times on the same register, only one enrolment will be retained. The other enrolments are automatically deleted, and only the last enrolment is taken into account, except decided otherwise by the elector.

During the period of revision, the following persons may be entered on the electoral register: citizens who meet the conditions laid down by law and those who whose names were previously omitted. Conversely, the following are deleted from the electoral register:

- deceased persons;

- persons ordered to be struck off the register by the competent judicial authority;

- persons who no longer meet the conditions laid down by law;

- persons found to have been wrongfully registered.

Likewise, modifications are made to the electoral register following any change of residence or clerical errors noticed especially regarding the full name, parentage, date and place of birth of electors. It also provides an opportunity for any citizen whose name has been omitted from the electoral register to apply to be entered on the register.

Why not? The following persons may be entered on the electoral register outside revision periods, without any residence requirements and where such changes lead to a change of residence: Civil Servants and State employees who have been either transferred  or placed on retirement after the closing date for registration, as well as any members of their families who are living with them on the date of such transfer or retirement; Servicemen who have been demobilised after the expiry of the time limit for registration. Private sector employees who have been either transferred or placed on retirement may also be enrolled.

Don’t panic! Voter cards not delivered to their legal holders are left at the polling station where such holders are registered and remain at their disposal until the close of the poll.

Voter cards are permanent.

In a polling station. The Director General of Elections draws up the list of polling stations for every council. Such list specifies the area covered by each polling station.

A maximum of 500 (five hundred) electors.

No. Every polling station must be located in public premises or premises open to the public.

 

The Chairperson of the Local Polling Commission. Every polling station has a Local Polling Commission comprising: Chairperson: a personality appointed by the Head of the Divisional Branch of Elections Cameroon. The member include:

- a representative of the Administration, appointed by the Sub-divisional Officer;

- a representative of each candidate, list of candidates or political party.

Where one or several representatives of candidates, lists of candidates or political parties is/are absent at the opening of the poll, the Chairperson of the Local Polling Commission must, by decision recorded in the report, fill up such vacancies in the Commission by appointing electors whose names feature in the electoral register of the polling station and who can read and write English or French.

No, representatives of candidates, lists of candidates or political parties who, for no valid reason, are not present at the time of commencement of polling and have been replaced by the Chairperson under the conditions specified above, cannot be allowed to sit on the Local Polling Commission.

The Chairperson of the Local Polling Commission is alone responsible for maintaining law and order at the polling station.

 

They may order the expulsion from the polling station of any person who is not an elector registered under the polling station, with the exception of candidates, heads of administrative units within whose territorial jurisdiction the station is situated and their representatives. They may prohibit anyone from obstructing the polling station. They may requisition the forces of law and order to restore order in the polling station or to cause the station to be vacated.

A Divisional Supervisory Commission is set up in each Division and is responsible for ensuring the smooth conduct of election preparations and election operations proper.

It supervises operations for drawing up, keeping and revising electoral registers; examines all protests or claims relating to electoral registers or voter cards; supervises the distribution of voter cards; authorises any corrections it deems necessary after examining protests or claims against the decisions of the competent commissions relating to the electoral register or voter cards; centralises and checks; Returning operations carried out by Local Polling Commissions and documents relating thereto. In case of a minor irregularity, it may request immediate regularisation by members of the Local Polling Commission.

It comprises the Chairperson: the President of the High Court with territorial jurisdiction. Members: three representatives of the Administration, appointed by the Senior Divisional Officer; three representatives of Elections Cameroon, appointed by the Head of the Divisional Branch of Elections Cameroon; a representative of each candidate.

At the start of polling, the Chairperson of the Local Polling Commission takes note of the time of opening of the poll which they mention in the polling report.

You must know that any voter whose name is duly entered in the electoral register is entitled to vote. However, the right to vote may be suspended for whoever is remanded in custody or is detained after conviction by a criminal court.

Absolutely. Every candidate, list of candidates or political party may appoint 3 (three) representatives for each Subdivision who have free access to all polling stations of the Subdivision. Such agents may be expelled from a polling station only if they cause a breach of the peace. Such expulsion must be recorded in the report. The agents may make comments on the conduct of the poll to the Local Polling Commission. Such comments must be recorded in the report.

Sure, the Chairperson and members of the Local Polling Commission are allowed to vote in the polling station upon producing their voter’s card.

Without doubt. The Local Polling Commission may allow any elector registered in the polling station whom, for one reason or the other, may be unable to produce their voter’s card. The Commission must, first of all, check the elector’s identity.

Election is by secret ballot. Uniform and opaque envelopes are used in voting. In every polling station, the number of ballot papers of each candidate or list of candidates as well as envelopes must be more than the number of registered electors.

Don’t worry. Any elector suffering an infirmity or whose physical state makes them unable to carry out on their own, any of the voting operations, may be assisted by an elector of their choice. The elector chosen must be registered on the electoral register of the polling station concerned and must not be a candidate or representative of a candidate, list of candidates or political party. They may not assist more than one elector on polling day.

Regional councillors: delegates of divisions, elected by indirect universal suffrage; representatives of traditional rulers, elected by their peers.

Delegates of divisions are elected by an electoral college comprising municipal councillors.

Representatives of traditional rulers are elected by an electoral college composed of 1st, 2nd and 3rd class indigenous traditional rulers whose designation has been approved in accordance with the regulation in force. Members of the electoral college composed of representatives of traditional rulers must be domiciled within the territory of the subdivision concerned.

Each Region is represented in the Senate by 10 (ten) senators, 7 (seven) of whom are elected by indirect universal suffrage on a regional basis and 3 (three) appointed by decree of the President of the Republic.

 

Senators are elected in each Region by an electoral college comprising regional and municipal councillors.

 

Elections Cameroon is responsible for the organisation, management and supervision of all election and referendum operations. In this respect, Elections Cameroon is vested with all the requisite powers to perform its duties.

Elections Cameroon performs its duties through the following organs: the Electoral Board (EB); the Directorate General of Elections (DGE). Elections Cameroon is placed under the authority of the Electoral Board, which ensures the smooth functioning of Elections Cameroon.

 

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.

Sure. It can hear and determine claims and petitions regarding pre-election and election operations, subject to the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Council and appropriate courts or authorities; order corrections warranted following consideration of claims or petitions filed in respect of elections or referendums.

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 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 equally bound to declare their property and assets.

 

The Directorate General of Elections is responsible for the preparation and material organisation of election and referendum operations, under the authority of the Electoral Board.

The Director General and the Deputy Director General of Elections are appointed by decree of the President of the Republic for a term of 5 (five) years, which may be renewable upon consultation with the Electoral Board.

The Director General of Elections is responsible, under the authority of the Electoral Board, for all election and referendum operations, in particular:

- drawing up, managing, updating and keeping the national voters’ register as well as election documents and materials;

- procuring and distributing election materials and documents;

- drawing up electoral registers, in conjunction with the relevant joint commissions;

- publishing electoral registers; issuing voter cards;

- distributing voter cards, in conjunction with the

relevant joint commissions;

- organising or supervising the training of electoral personnel.

The Director General of Elections is responsible for receiving and forwarding to the Electoral Board candidacy papers for examination.

 

Elections Cameroon has branches at regional, divisional and council levels. Officers of the regional branches are appointed by the Electoral Board, on the proposal of the Director General of Elections. Officials of the divisional and council branches are appointed by the Director General of Elections, upon the approval of the Electoral Board. The Branches of ELECAM operate under the hierarchical authority of the Director General of Elections.

Placed under the authority of a Regional Delegate, the Regional Delegation, within its zone of

competence, is responsible for: the organisation, supervision and the follow-up of electoral

operations and referendums; the follow-up of voter registration and the establishment of electoral registers; the supervision and distribution of voter cards; the centralisation and forwarding to the Directorate General of Elections, of needs for the conduct of polls; the distribution of election materials within the Region; the centralisation and forwarding of election results to the Directorate General of Elections; the computerisation of the regional register of voters; the management of the IT network; the updating and safe-keeping of the regional register of voters; the computer-assisted management of electoral operations and referendums, as well as election results; the maintenance of IT equipment; the preparation and management of the operating budget of the Regional Delegation; the monitoring of the management of ELECAM movable and immovable property within the Region; the management of regional personnel.

Placed under the authority of a branch head, the Divisional Branch, within its zone of competence is responsible for: the follow-up of electoral operations and referendums; the follow-up of voter registration and the drawing up of electoral rolls; the supervision of the distribution of voters’ cards; the updating of the Divisional Register of Voters; the centralisation and forwarding to the Regional Delegation of voters’ rolls and the register of voters; the transfer of election materials to the council branches and polling stations; the centralisation and transmission to the Regional Delegation of election results; the follow-up of the management of the IT network; the computer-assisted management of electoral operations and referendums; the follow-up of security measures put in place for the conduct of polls; the conservation of documents and archives.

Placed under the authority of a Branch Head, the Council Branch, within its zone of competence, is responsible for: the registration of voters; the key-boarding of voters’ rolls and election operations; the drawing up of Council voters’ rolls; the drawing up of a Council Register of Voters and forwarding same to the Divisional Branch; the distribution of voters’ cards; the distribution of election materials  to polling stations; the follow-up of the organisation of polling stations; the putting in place of security measures for polling; the transmission to the Divisional Branch of polling data and documents; the safe-keeping of ballot boxes, polling booths and other polling accessories.