Political Parties: While Waiting For Elections...

A s Cameroonians await the convening of the electoral college for the legislative and municipal elections, political parties who are amongst the main actors are currently em­ barking on several activities with the objective of getting the best of results. Voter registration is of­ ficially closed for the year and will only be reopened in January next year, and thus persons of voting age who did not get registered cannot no longer do so. As a result, all eyes and anticipation are geared at the upcoming twin election whose polls are expected to be convened in the nearest future. Meantime, they are intensifying preparations through internal mee­ tings, preparations on logistics, strategy, grassroots mobilisation, administrative and legal readiness as well evaluating possible alliances. With regards to internal organisa­ tion, political parties are already focused on the designation of can­ didatures for the various consti­ tuencies or council areas. In effect, they are holding internal meetings to prepare for the process which takes place by vote, and in some rare cases, through designation by party hierarchy. Whatever the op­ tion, most political, parties are op­ ting for the most democratic way of selecting “flag bearers” who will champion their ideologies and vi­ sion for their respective communi­ ties in particular and the nation at large, when it comes to voting of laws at the National Assembly, as would be the situation for the le­ gislative elections. The goal is sim­ ple; they do not want to be taken off guard when the electoral pro­ cess gains steam with the conve­ ning of electors to vote for those who, in a mandate of five years, will either vote laws (legislators) or head Councils development gaols. More so, party officials are also fo­ cused on building various teams which will definitely kick-start va­ rious activities in line with the party’s ambitions when the elec­ toral process enters another stage. In some of the political parties, as is the case with most of those re­ presented in Parliament, whom this reporter spoke with, the executive and other high ranking members have embarked on the settling in­ ternal disagreements before the official race begins. In their expla­ nation, they are determined on creating a strong and unified team, which to them is the bedrock for success. In the same vein, some teams are already reflecting on the manifesto to be presented to the public on various themes like education, social development, h...