At opening of June Session: MPs express mixed reactions on House Speaker's address.

They were speaking at the end of the plenary sitting that was attended by members of government led by the Prime Minister, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute, and those of the diplomatic corps.

Cavaye’s address dwelled on the upcoming presidential election, in which he called for restraint and patriotism amongst stakeholders.

While MPs of the ruling CPDM party have described the speech as timely, their peers of the opposition have given a different interpretation to the call. 

The MP for Momo East Constituency, Hon Injoh Prudencia, described the speech as timely, given the stakes of the upcoming presidential elections.

"This year being an electoral year, it is normal that the House Speaker puts a lot of emphasis on the aspects of registration of potential voters," she stated. 

The lawmaker highlighted her proactive engagements in her constituency, where efforts are underway to assist citizens to acquire vital identification documents and the need to register and vote. 

On his part, the MP for Nwa Subdivision, Hon Adamu Edward, commended the Speaker's call for patriotism. 

He acknowledged the Speaker's candid recognition of lapses in the processing and issuance of National Identity Cards as well as the electoral process. 

Hon Adamu appealed on political actors both at home and abroad to cease from instigating violence and disorder ahead of the polls. 

On his part, the MP for Donga Mantung Central Constituency, Hon Ngala Gerard, said the message of the House Speaker was appealing as it particularly touched on the critical role of obtaining a National Identity Card in the electoral process.

Hon Ngala also added his voice to that of the House Speaker to call for a peaceful election.

"We don't want violence, we want people to go to the polling stations and vote," he said. 

Security concerns amidst election talk

Unlike her CPDM peers, the MP for Bui South, Jakiri, Hon Verla Lukong Fostine, was preoccupied with insecurity concerns in her constituency months before the crucial presidential elections.

The MP also called on the government to guarantee security throughout the electoral process. 

"The issue of insecurity is just too much. We know that without peace and security, there is nothing we can do. No development can come without peace," she bemoaned.  

Calls for free ID cards 

Reacting to the message of the House Speaker, Hon Koupit Adamou of the opposition Cameroon Democratic Union, CDU party, expressed dismay.

He noted that the House Speaker is not abreast with the reality on the ground with regards to the processing and issuance of ID cards which is a prerequisite for potential voters to enroll on the electoral list.

Hon Koupit said while elections management body, Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, has acquired new kits to streamline voter registration, the actual process of obtaining ID Cards poses a significant barrier to massive voter registration.

He also challenged government's previous assertion that 10,000 FCFA is the sole cost for the processing of an ID.

“The reality is that you will pay 10,000 FCFA at the identification station, and you will also incur the cost of transportation from the hinterlands or villages to the lone station at the regional capital city. You also have to pay for the cost of certification of required documents,” he hammered.

The MP urged the House Speaker to investigate the discrepancy, suggesting that the Speaker might not be "well informed" about the reality on the ground.

On his part, MP for Boyo, Hon Njong Evaristus, of the Social Democratic Front, SDF party, passionately argued for free ID cards, insisting that the issue at hand is a system that has collapsed.

He highlighted the financial strain on average Cameroonians, noting that an ID card costs approximately 12,000 FCFA, while the lowest income hovers around 40,000 FCFA. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3470 of Wednesday June 11, 2025