Cameroon’s Electoral Board has entered uncharted waters as it prepares to steer the nation through back-to-back presidential and regional elections on October 12 and November 30, respectively. Meeting in Yaounde on Sunday, September 7, 2025, members of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) examined how to harmonize their operational calendar to manage what officials describe as a “decisive moment” in the country’s democratic journey.
The session, convened under Section 19 of the Electoral Code, was chaired by Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe, President of the Electoral Board. He told members that coordinating the two electoral processes would not only prevent overlap but also ensure efficiency in a period never before experienced in Cameroon’s political history.
“This election period is unprecedented. For the first time, we must navigate presidential and regional elections almost simultaneously. It is a new challenge, but one we can overcome if we work in unison,” Dr. Enow Abrams said.
Beyond the Calendar: A Logistics Puzzle
Officials say a harmonized timetable will help synchronize critical operations ranging from the reception of candidacies and updating of the voters’ register to preparing polling stations and deploying materials nationwide. The Director General of Elections is expected to present a detailed roadmap covering logistics, training of poll workers, and compliance with deadlines.
Budgetary issues were also on the table, with attention placed on strengthening capacity building for electoral officials, voter education campaigns, and securing the transportation of sensitive materials across the country.
Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe, Addressing Board Members.Readiness for October 12
Despite the heavy workload, Dr. Enow Abrams assured Cameroonians that preparations for the presidential election are “at an advanced stage.” Field teams, he said, have been deployed to constituencies to assess readiness, motivate staff, and test logistics. The budget earmarked for the polls is expected to reinforce training, mobilization of materials, and civic awareness campaigns.
A special emphasis, he noted, will be placed on voter education for the regional elections, given their unique system of indirect suffrage involving electoral colleges.
Building Trust Ahead of the Vote
ELECAM is also preparing for the 8th National Consultation meeting scheduled for September 11, a gathering of electoral stakeholders designed to fine-tune strategies and build consensus. The forum is seen as an opportunity to strengthen transparency, inclusiveness, and dialogue in the electoral process.
“These polls are more than just dates on the calendar,” Dr. Enow Abrams said. “They are a decisive turning point for our democratic legacy and for future generations.”
Looking Ahead
As Cameroonians await the campaign season, the spotlight remains firmly on ELECAM’s ability to deliver credible, peaceful, and transparent elections under tight deadlines. For many observers, how the electoral body manages this double challenge will test not only its institutional capacity but also the resilience of Cameroon’s democracy.
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