The Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has won the gigantic task of organizing a large and fair election in an atmosphere of insurgence: Cameroonians wish the power in place in our country to copy such before our next national elections come 2018.
Nigeria has passed the test in flying colors in organizing this general election of 28th March, 2015. Two days after the result were published by the independent electoral commission (INEC), it was generally well accepted by both Good Luck Ebele Jonathan of People Democratic Party (PDP), the out going president as well as Mr. Muhammadu Bulari who was the candidate for the All Progressive Co ngress(APC) the opposition candidate. The score for this important electoral consultation was 52% 6% for the winner Muhammadu Bulari and 44.96% for the out going president Good Luck Jonathan testifying to the aftermath of the election that took place in a context of very tight politically volatile and security tight atmosphere.
The hope emanated by this peaceful pacification at the helm of the most powerful economic and demographic nation of the African continent goes far beyond the national boundaries of Nigeria. Politically, the success of the peaceful democratic alternation in Nigeria gives life to the principles and values of democracy as found in the preamble of; the objectives of Constitutive Act of African Union and the African Charter of Democracy, Election and Good Governance (CDEG).
As concern security, Cameroon like wise other neighboring countries to Nigeria, suffering barbaric attacks since May 2014 from the Islamic sect Boko Haram, now see a new atmosphere of hope of a huge Nigerian military involvement.
This hope, the Nigerians, Cameroonians, Africans and the international community as whole owes it to the organization of a transparent, equitable and fair election.
The principal artisan to this electoral success is the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for their patriotism, seriousness and the high sense of responsibility of its directors notably its president the professor Attahiru Ahim Mohammadu Jega and his commissioner Nuru Yakubu, and this aroused some admiration.
The chairman of the electoral board, the director General, the members of Elections Cameroon (Elecam), with the slavish submission to the ruling party CPDM, though with nothing to prove but should rather revise the lesson administered by a country considered as buoyantly disorganized but now seen as a reflection of democracy.
During the voting of 30th September, 2013, CRM amongst others had denounced the faulty biometric technology which elecam advance as the principal prove of modernization and evolution in our national electoral system. During the Nigerian general elections, the crucial role of the genuine biometric was integral and in total control, guarantied total transparency during voting making the results very valid and incontestable.
Furthermore, the political consensus that led to the putting in place of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria and in the designation of its members was the legitimate pledge which enabled this strategic institution to realize its success with a greater margin, thus preventing the country to plunge into electoral violence.
The CRM salutes all the Nigerian leaders who without renouncing to their legitimate desire to triumph in their political ambitions, rather placed the interest of the country and that of the Nigeria people first in establishing the credibility of INEC and its members in a consensus .
Since the parliamentary session of November 2014, CRM deposited at the office of the National Assembly a proposed law carrying modifications of the electoral code suggesting adjustments in order to install credibility to our electoral system which is necessary to manage our next national elections. Till now, that proposed law has not been given the necessary attention by the bureau of the national assembly controlled by CPDM with the president of the Republic Paul Biya being the president. The promptness with which the president of the republic Paul Biya addressed his congratulations to the president elect, Muhammadu Bulari, reveals the legitimate hope he envisages in the democratic alternation that just took place in Nigeria for the Strategic national fight against Boko Haram. Paradoxically, hope he has been depriving the Cameroonian people of their rights for a democratic alternation for thirty years now.
The next national elections, notably the presidential elections will be very crucial for the future of our people and that of our country. President Biya whose party still enjoys the parliamentary majority must start working seriously to reinstall hope in our people through concrete actions to install effective credibility to our national electoral system. The consensual reform of the electoral code that CRM proposed the national assembly since November 2014 is no more necessity, regarding the regulatory function role carried out by INEC during the glowing Nigerian electoral process, it is an imperative to all those who love Cameroon and not only what they proclaim in speeches.
As I announced in my end of year message in 2014 to Cameroonians, CRM is planning to engage on a national and international campaign in view of a consensual electoral code, the success registered during the excellent organization of the general election in Nigeria by INEC will certainly contribute the characteristic popularity this campaign needs to attain its patriotic and democratic goals.
The National President CRM,
Pr Maurice Kamto.
Yaounde, April 10 2015.
