The representative of the Cameroon National Salvation Front, FSNC party, Mr. Issa, has stormed out of the National Commission for the Final Counting of Votes, accusing the structure of setting the stage for the endorsement of widespread electoral fraud orchestrated against the candidate of his party, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, in the October 12 presidential election.
The FSNC representative announced his departure over the weekend. It is worth noting that in tandem with the Electoral Code, the National Commission for the Final Counting of Votes began work on Friday, October 17.
But Issa said the procedure for the verification of return sheets was drabbed in opaqueness. He said the Commission was endorsing the falsification of results orchestrated by members of the CPDM, the administration in collaboration with some unscrupulous members of the Elections Management body, ELECAM.
The commission chaired by a member of the Constitutional Council, Justice Essombe, has two judicial officers appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, five representatives of the administration, five representatives of ELECAM appointed by the Director General of Elections, and one representative each of the candidate or his political party.
The FSNC representative said he could not be part of a charade that was endorsing falsification of results against his own candidate who won overwhelmingly in almost all the regions in the country. Unlike some parties, FSNC party has not filed any petition at the Constitutional Council. Speaking to the press recently, one of its legal advisers, Maitre Simh said they have all evidence that their candidate is the overall winner of the election.
Meanwhile, the SDF party has tabled petitions calling for the cancellation of the October 12 presidential election in certain areas including Batibo where over 5,000 people are being brandished to have voted for the CPDM candidate whereas not up to a 100 people voted in the area. The SDF says it has evidence that in many areas, the number of people said to have voted for the CPDM candidate are more than the number registered.
On account of irregularities and widespread electoral fraud, the Cameroon Democratic Union and its candidate, Tomaino Ndam Njoya is calling on the Constitutional Council to totally cancel the presidential election.
For his part, Cabral Libii, the candidate of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, PCRN, has withdrawn the two petitions the party earlier filed at the Constitutional Council.
As the National Vote Counting Commission continues work, The Post learned, everything is being tailored to offer a landslide victory to the CPDM candidate, the incumbent President Paul Biya. Such a twist is coming at the time the observers are crying out against the wanton falsification of votes and other forms of electoral fraud. Areas of gigantic fraud stand out in the crisis hit regions. The case of Njinikom where less than a hundred people turned out voting, and over 2,000 people are projected to have voted for the CPDM candidate remains a veritable scandal.
Going by section 69 of the Electoral Code, the National Commission for the Final Counting of Votes shall carry out the final counting of votes on the basis of the reports and appended documents submitted by the Divisional Supervisory Commission. The Commission shall correct any clerical errors in the counting of votes and shall not cancel the correspondent reports.
Section 69 (4) of the law reads: “The National Commission for the Final Counting of Votes shall draw up a report on all its operations. The report, copies of which are established according to the Members, shall be signed by the Chairperson and Commissioners present.” The law provides that a copy of this report shall be given to each signatory member. Besides, a copy with appended documents shall be forwarded within five days to the Constitutional Council.
After hearing electoral petitions, the Constitutional Council, will proclaim the final results of the presidential election within 15 days after voting as provided for by the Electoral Code.
That notwithstanding, Issa Tchiroma insists he won the election on the overall and has expressed his desire to publish the untainted results obtained from polling stations across the country.