The Regional Chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), for the North West, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, has issued a memorandum to the leadership of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), raising serious concerns over what he described as “systematic violations” of the Electoral Code during the November 12, 2025, presidential election in the North West Region.
Speaking at the North West Regional Delegation of Elections Cameroon on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Fongu Cletus who also doubles as the Mayor of Bamenda III Council said his intervention was prompted by the approach of the 2026 municipal and parliamentary elections, which he described as “crucial to the democratic future of Cameroon.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, if we are gathered here today, it is because of the SDF,” Fongu Cletus said in his opening remarks. “With two major elections ahead of us in 2026, it is imperative to reflect on the conduct of the last presidential election and draw lessons that will safeguard future polls.”
A Troubled Electoral Process
Focusing on the North West Region, the SDF North West Regional chieftain argued that the 2025 presidential election was conducted in blatant disregard of Cameroon’s Electoral Code, notably Law No. 2012/001 of April 19, 2012, as amended by subsequent legislation in 2012 and 2019. He accused ELECAM of lacking independence, stating that the Ministry of Territorial Administration continues to exert undue influence over the electoral body contrary to the long-standing demands of the SDF since the era of the defunct ONEL.
Fongu Cletus cited Section 52 of the Electoral Code, which governs the revision of electoral registers, and questioned the role of administrative authorities in the process. “Why should the Administration be part of this exercise?” he asked. “In practice, administrative representatives overshadow ELECAM officials, many of whom behave as though they are militants of the ruling CPDM party. ELECAM staff must be completely neutral.”
Intimidation, Militarization, and Unequal Campaign Space
According to the SDF regional chairman, the North West Region experienced an “unprecedented ghost town” atmosphere during the election period, severely restricting campaigns and political rallies. He reported widespread intimidation by both known and unknown actors, making it nearly impossible for opposition parties particularly the SDF to campaign freely outside Bamenda.
While the military was heavily deployed in the region, Fongu Cletus alleged that security escorts were selectively provided to CPDM ministers, enabling them to campaign in their home divisions. Opposition parties, he said, were denied similar protection. “The playing field was not level at all,” he declared.
Alleged Violations Involving Military Voting
The SDF regional boss further raised concerns over the participation of military personnel in the polls, stating that legal procedures under Section 82(1)(b) and Section 83(5) of the Electoral Code were ignored. He alleged that lists of deployed servicemen were neither published nor examined by the legally mandated commissions within the prescribed timelines. “This failure made it easy for ballot boxes to be stuffed,” he said, citing alleged irregularities in Batibo, Bafut, Santa, Widikum, Kumbo, Nkar, Nkum, Tubah, Bali, Njinikom, and other localities.
He also accused some mayors and senior ruling-party officials of transporting youths in military trucks from Bamenda to rural areas to vote, with military gunfire allegedly used to scare away civilians. In Bamenda II, Fongu Cletus claimed that a government minister led a political rally on foot on polling day, accompanied by over 100 youths, without intervention from security forces or election officials. In Bamenda I, he alleged that the City Mayor was seen giving instructions to voters at a polling station. In Nkum and Ndu council areas, he said, the total number of votes cast reportedly exceeded the number of registered voters.
Controversial Creation of Voting Centres
One of the most serious concerns raised was ELECAM’s creation of voting centres, which Fongu Cletus said violated Sections 96(3) and 96(4) of the Electoral Code and effectively disenfranchised thousands of voters. “How do you expect someone to travel from Awing to Santa, or from Pinyin to Santa, to vote?” he asked. “A 60-year-old voter from Mundum I in Bafut was expected to walk over 20 kilometres to Agyati on a day when vehicles were not allowed to move.”
He dismissed official claims that the measure was taken for security reasons, arguing instead that the government has failed to address the root socio-political and economic problems of the region. “They know the solutions,” Fongu Cletus said, “but they will not take them because they benefit from the current situation and the continued militarization of the region.”
Recommendations and Call to Action
Warning that the irregularities of 2025 cast serious doubt on the credibility of the upcoming municipal and parliamentary elections, the SDF Regional chairman outlined a series of recommendations.
He called on voting-age Cameroonians in the North West Region to massively register to vote, insisting that the ballot box remains the only democratic guarantee of their future.
He urged ELECAM to open registration centres in public places, widely publicize registration calendars, and dismiss officials implicated in electoral fraud specifically naming Bafut, Batibo, Ndu, Widikum, Tubah, Santa, Bali, Nkum, Kumbo, Njinikom, and Belo.
He also demanded the abolition of voting centres in favour of legally recognized polling stations, the strict neutrality of the military during elections, and the restriction of voting rights in local elections to security personnel officially stationed within the relevant subdivisions.
Memorandum Submitted
The memorandum was formally handed to the Board Chairman of Elections Cameroon, through the North West Regional Delegation of ELECAM, on Thursday, February 5, 2026, in Bamenda. “This is about restoring confidence in the electoral process,” he concluded. “If these violations go unchecked, then the promise of free, fair, and transparent elections in 2026 will remain an illusion.”
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