By Elise Kenimbeni
Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) has officially entered a decisive phase in its preparations for the upcoming legislative and municipal elections scheduled for February 7, 2027. Opening the first session as of right of the Electoral Board in Yaoundé on Friday, November 13, 2026, Board Chairperson Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe called for rigorous planning, strict adherence to statutory deadlines, and heightened vigilance to guarantee a transparent and credible dual poll.
Addressing board members, the Directorate General of Elections, and media partners, Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe noted that the official convening of the electorate by the Head of State, Mr. Paul Biya, marks a pivotal milestone in Cameroon’s democratic calendar.
He underscored the dual significance of the February 7 polls, explaining that while the National Assembly vote allows citizens to choose their legislative representatives, the concurrent municipal elections remain foundational to grassroots democracy and local community development.
"Their simultaneous organization therefore places particular demands on our Institution. It calls for careful planning, close coordination and strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Code," Dr. Enow stated.
"Above all, we must ensure that the process is conducted in a manner that encourages citizen participation, guarantees transparency and strengthens public confidence in our electoral system." He added.
The session also follows the recent presidential renewal of the mandates of Board Chairperson Dr. Enow, the Vice-Chairperson, and several Electoral Board members. Acknowledging the Head of State's renewed trust, the Chairperson emphasized that this confidence demands "sustained commitment, high professional standards and a constant willingness to improve" to strengthen public trust in ELECAM.
Key Operational Priorities
While officially opening the Friday session, Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe outlined several critical priorities for the weeks and months ahead, reminding members that "the success of any election depends, to a large extent, on the quality of its preparation."
He placed particular emphasis on three major operational areas:
- Voters' Register and Polling Logistics: Securing, updating, and consolidating the National Voters' Register remains paramount to the process's credibility. The Board is also reviewing the distribution of voter cards, the delimitation of polling stations, and the timely availability and inspection of electoral materials across all constituencies.
- High-Risk and Hard-to-Reach Areas: Special attention is being directed toward localities facing security, transportation, or geographical access challenges to ensure smooth personnel deployment and uninterrupted operations.
- Field Supervision, Synergy, and Budgeting: The Board is examining budget forecasts to ensure financial, material, and human resources match the scale of organizing twin elections. Dr. Enow cautioned that "programming activities is not enough," stressing that necessary resources must be effectively available when needed. He also called for a coherent timetable to harmonize the Board's supervisory role with the technical work of the Directorate General of Elections, noting that "their proper coordination is indispensable to the smooth running of the process." To reinforce this oversight, members will finalize terms of reference for upcoming field missions to inspect working conditions and readiness across regions, divisions, and subdivisions firsthand.
A Call for National Cohesion
While commending the Directorate General of Elections and ELECAM staff for their professionalism and the groundwork already laid, Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe stressed that technical efficiency alone is not enough to win citizen confidence. True credibility, he noted, rests on impartiality, transparency, and listening to the legitimate concerns of electoral stakeholders.
"The period that is opening calls on our part for constant vigilance and a relentless commitment in favour of the integrity of the electoral process," he told Board members.
Concluding his address, the ELECAM Chairperson issued a broad appeal to political parties, candidates, voters, civil society, and the press to act responsibly and maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe said: "The preservation of social peace and national cohesion must remain a shared concern. It must transcend our differences of opinion and our political divergences, because the stakes of these elections go beyond particular interests and concern the future of our entire country."
