At close of electoral register: Elections DG urges youths to collect voter’s cards.

This was in Ngoumou, Mefou and Akono Division of the Centre Region. Administrative and local authorities as well as the population of the area attended the ceremony. 

Dr Essousse said registration on the electoral roll should not be considered the end of citizens’ responsibility. He tasked registered citizens to withdraw their voter cards and prepare to exercise their civic rights when elections are convened.

He particularly appealed to young people to seize the opportunities offered by the electoral process not only to register and vote but to consider vying to become municipal councillors, Members of Parliament, mayors, senators and regional councillors.

Dr Essousse said young people constitute an important component of the country’s present and future political leadership and should therefore play a greater role in decision-making.

Electoral register key to credible elections

Dr Essousse described the electoral register as the foundation of the electoral process, insisting that its credibility and quality are essential to limiting disputes before and after elections.

He said ELECAM has attached particular importance to the quality of this year’s registration exercise and is working with newer-generation biometric registration equipment acquired about two years ago.

He said the new kits have significantly improved the registration process by reducing technical problems that previously affected the operation. 

“As a result, we no longer have problems with kits crashing or malfunctioning,” he assured, noting that this will contribute to the establishment of a clean, credible and high-quality electoral register ahead of forthcoming elections.

Encourages youth participation 

Dr Essousse noted that the Ngoumou ceremony was an opportunity to encourage greater mobilisation of young people, acknowledge efforts made in the area.

He called on families, communities and political actors to encourage young people who have attained voting age to participate in the electoral process. 

“Youth must register because they are the foundation, they are the nation, they are the Cameroon of today and tomorrow,” he said.

Dr Essousse equally called on political parties, civil society organisations youth associations and community groups to federate forces with ELECAM to intensify the mobilisation of their supporters ahead of future electoral deadlines. 

He reiterated that the process is intended to be inclusive, encouraging women, men, young people and persons with disabilities to participate. Dr Essousse also saluted role of the media in sensitizing the public on the importance of the process. 

He also assured stakeholders that concerns raised over voting arrangements would be examined. Responding to the issue concerning voters who are registered in locations far from where they currently reside, making participation difficult, Dr Essousse said ELECAM would reflect on the concern and examine possible ways of improving the situation in collaboration with its partners.

Ngoumou Mayor calls for citizen responsibility

The Mayor of Ngoumou, Jean-Baptiste Amvouna Atemengue, described elections as an important expression of democratic life, enabling citizens to regularly choose their representatives at different levels of government.

He encouraged citizens to enroll on the electoral register and participate actively in elections, while expressing hope that ongoing efforts to modernise the civil registration system would eventually facilitate voter transfers and other administrative procedures.

Mayor Amvouna Atemengue also raised concerns from voters who have complained about discrepancies in the electoral register. The situation, he said, has generated mistrust among some citizens despite complaints being lodged and could discourage participation in electoral deadlines.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3897 of Wednesday September 02, 2026