Voter Registration: Exploring Last Days

I n two weeks, voter registration nationwide and within diplo­ matic missions of Cameroon abroad will be closed for this current year, 2026. This is in ac­ cordance with Section 74 of the Electoral Code which states that the annual revision of electoral re­ gisters shall commence on January 1 and end on August 31 of each year. To this effect, the elections management body, Elections Ca­ meroon (ELECAM) is putting in place strategies to ensure maximum re­ gistration of those of voting age and who meet the eligibility criteria. Mass campaigns are being organised by ELECAM and other stakeholders of the electoral process such as political parties, civil society orga­ nisations and other opinion lea­ ders. The objective is to ensure inclusive participation by ensuring that the maximum number of persons get registered and vote during electoral operations. In addition, the elections management body is capitalising on the “last minute rush” pheno­ menon, in which a vast majority of citizens wait until the final days of a deadline to take action. Such a scenario was observed last year. To this effect, ELECAM is leveraging on this human behaviour by multi­ plying its communication presence through the use of audio-visual, traditional and digital media. Proxi­ mity methodologies through the deploy of mobile caravans for re­ gistration are also used with the aim of getting people who reside in remote areas get registered. During these last days, ELECAM is also intensifying its campaign to counter misinformation, promote civic education, and explicitly reas­ sure the public of the security and transparency of the electoral pro­ cess. This is to combat voter apathy, maintain public trust and make the process as inclusive as possible. With all these measures, it is impe­ rative that those who meet the eli&sh...