Barrister Tamfu Richard, newly installed Regional Coordinator of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN) for the North West, has called on members of the National Vote Counting Commission and the Constitutional Council to uphold integrity and the rule of law in the country’s electoral process.
Tamfu’s reflections came shortly after he officially took office as PCRN’s first North West Regional Coordinator, in a ceremony that also saw the inauguration of the party’s regional secretariat in Bamenda. The event, attended by party officials, militants and sympathisers is an important turning point for the PCRN as it deepens its presence in the Anglophone regions.
Speaking in Bamenda on Tuesday 26 August 2025 Tamfu Richard said the Commission operates within a constitution that primarily protects those in power, but stressed that personal integrity remains the deciding factor.
“Unfortunately, we have a constitution that was drafted or crafted to save the powers that be,” he remarked
Tamfu’s argument points to a long-running paradox in Cameroonian politics. The constitution centralises power around the presidency and is widely seen as a safeguard for those in office. Yet, institutions like the Constitutional Council and the Vote Counting Commission remain entrusted to individuals presented to the public as men and women of honour.
Barrister Tamfu Richard and PCRN’S Communications Director, Armand Okol representing the party president in Bamenda
According to him Cameroonians expect those who have been appointed to such institutions to be men of integrity.
"There is no need to violate people’s rights simply to protect somebody. If they are in that position, it is because they are considered men of integrity and who is going to beat them up if they decide to go the way the people want? They are there to make sure that the rule of law is being observed, and that is all we expect from them.” he affirmed
Tamfu’s comments reflect growing public concern over the impartiality of electoral bodies in Cameroon, particularly as the nation prepares for the 2025 presidential election. Past elections have seen opposition figures question the Commission’s transparency, citing irregularities and a lack of accountability.
The installation of the PCRN regional coordination team marks the party’s latest step in expanding its footprint across the country. But for Tamfu, strengthening institutions remains central to ensuring that citizens’ votes count.
By linking his call for integrity to his new mandate, the PCRN regional boss signalled that beyond party politics, Cameroonians are yearning for fairness in how their democracy is managed.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77
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