By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
With barely few days to the presidential election, Cameroonian citizens are facing massive crowds and disorganized procedures as they rush to obtain their voter cards at Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) offices.
Despite successfully and freely registering to vote, many Cameroonians are recounting frustrating experiences just to pick up their cards.
Visiting the Yaounde VI Council branch on October 8, The Post saw a large crowd queuing up to obtain their cards. According to several people who spoke to the newspaper, the process has become extremely difficult as you have wait for hours.
“I have been here to collect my card since 4 a.m. this morning,” one city dweller said. “Look at when I am collecting my card. This is 11 a.m. It has not been easy because the number is so large and getting access is difficult.”
Another city dweller, identified only as Tsafack, questioned the process. “It is not easy, but I don’t know why you register freely but to obtain your card now is a problem,” he said. “Is there a particular reason why they can’t decentralize these collections?”
A woman identified as Emelda warned of potential chaos. “What is happening here is not good, and if it continues here like this, there is going to be some disorder,” she said. “You have to fight to enter and collect the card. Look at how elders have been here to collect their cards, but there is no way.”
Some passersby who spoke to The Post blamed Cameroonians for waiting until the last minute. They argued that they should have collected their cards earlier instead of rushing in the final days before the election.
However, others stated that even with the late rush, ELECAM is obligated to do everything possible to ensure Cameroonians can collect their cards easily. One city resident said he had been turned away by ELECAM offices since June when he first tried to pick up his card, and he still had not received it.
Attempts to get comments from ELECAM officials about the delay proved unsuccessful. However, at press time, police officers had been brought in to manage the crowd and ease the collection process.
Cameroon is set to hold its presidential election on Oct. 12, 2025. President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982, is seeking an eighth term in office and faces 11 opposition candidates.
