It may appear a late request with the presidential election only months away, but one question remains unavoidable: will Cameroonians ever trust the ballot box without urgent electoral reforms? For a democracy to stand on its feet, elections must not only be held, they must be seen to be credible. In Cameroon, that perception is still painfully absent.
The shadow of electoral controversy has hovered over Cameroon since the return to multiparty politics in the 1990s. The 2018 presidential election once again highlighted systemic flaws. This 2025, Petitions lodged at the Constitutional Council including a headline challenge by UNIVERS candidate Akere Muna and others have been dismissed without denting the widespread public scepticism. Allegations of bias, accusations of “protecting the powers that be”, and claims of opaque vote-counting procedures continue to haunt the electoral landscape.
At the centre of this debate is Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the body charged with organising polls. Critics argue that its composition undermines neutrality, given that most of its members are appointed by the President. Calls for reform have ranged from restructuring ELECAM to ensuring that political parties, civil society, and independent experts play a more meaningful role in its management.
Equally contentious is the role of the administration that is Governors, Senior Divisional Officers, and Divisional Officers who continue to wield considerable influence over voting arrangements and the transmission of results. For many opposition figures and rights groups, this creates a perception of the referee wearing the jersey of one of the teams.
The conversation on the credibility of the Constitutional Council and the National Vote Counting Commission is still present. Speaking at the opening of the CPNR’s North West office in Bamenda, regional coordinator Barrister Tamfu Richard reminded Cameroonians that the system’s credibility will ultimately depend on the integrity of those appointed to safeguard the process.
“Unfortunately, we have a constitution that was crafted to protect the powers that be,” he told Hilltopvoices adding that those appointed to bodies like the Constitutional Council are considered to be men of integrity. It is left to them to play their role and ensure the rule of law is observed. That is all we expect from them.”
His words echo a national anxiety: that even the most sophisticated laws and structures matter little if those entrusted with implementation lack independence and courage.
For some, the timing of this debate feels uncomfortably late. With campaigns gearing up and election day approaching, how much can really be changed? But reform is not only about deadlines; it is about commitments. Presidential candidates who remain silent on the need for electoral credibility risk being seen as complicit in a broken system.
At a minimum, Cameroonians expect clear proposals on:
- Restructuring ELECAM to guarantee independence.
- Transparent vote tabulation with observers present at every stage.
- Equal access to state media for all candidates.
- Limits to administrative interference in electoral management.
- Strengthened legal recourse for petitions and challenges.
Whoever wins in 2025 will face a mountain of challenges including but not limited to economic, social, and security-related. But without a legitimate mandate, governance will remain haunted by mistrust. Electoral reform, then, is not a luxury item on the campaign agenda; it is the foundation on which any other promise must rest.
If the ballot box remains contested terrain, the journey towards peace, development, and national unity risks being permanently stalled. The candidates who seek to lead Cameroon must confront this head-on, even if it feels like a late request. It is never too late to restore faith in the rules of the game.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77
Bakah Derick is an award-winning Cameroonian journalist and mediapreneur, serving as Vice President in charge of International Relations at the Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union and leading Hilltopvoices Communications Group Ltd to amplify community voices and governance issues. With nearly 20 years in the field, his impactful reporting spanning human rights, environmental protection, inclusive development, and sports has earned him prestigious honors such as the 2024 VIIMMA Humanitarian Reporter of the Year and more. Email: debakah2004@gmail.com Tel: +237 675 460 750