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Cameroon Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CCDHR) is calling for the establishment of an Independent Electoral Commission in Cameroon, to be in charge of managing elections, beginning with the 2011 presidential elections in Cameroon. In keeping with the title of Republic that is enshrined in their nation’s title, Cameroonians hold a fervent desire to play an active role in determining the fate of their country. For such expectations to reach legitimate fulfillment, the most pivotal of democratic institutions – elections which are free of coercion, untainted by intrigue, and representative of the people’s will must be vigilantly protected. Given the potential for biased interpretation in the face of political influence, the integrity of democratic elections must be safeguarded not just by the letter of the law, but by a robust and independent body that stands apart from the bias of any political organization, and holds the preservation of free elections, and thus the good of the nation, as its sole objective.

The need for such an electoral protectorate exists in all democracies, but given the history of electoral malfeasance in Cameroon under the MINATD/NEO regime, a robust and resolute force for unbiased elections is especially essential. Unfortunately, recent history with the creation and appointment of member to the board of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) suggests that in Cameroon, this need remains to be met. It is evident that ELECAM retains many of the problems of the previous MINATD/NEO regime as the newly appointed ELECAM members carry a firm mark of party bias and skewed allegiance that suggests ELECAM will be yet another implement of government malfeasance masquerading as reform.

There are several individual flaws about ELECAM that diminishes its potential to build a truly free and representative democracy in the Republic of Cameroon. Meanwhile, the combination of presidential dependence and committee members with clear histories of partiality, political bias, and electoral mismanagement render ELECAM a wholly useless and untrustworthy organization in its current state. Based on the limited, but telling evidence available, ELECAM appears poised to follow in the footsteps of MINATD/NEO and other failed electoral bodies that have proceeded, by posing more as an intentionally weak showpiece than a genuine institution with the power, initiative, and integrity to promote positive change in the deeply flawed Cameroonian democratic process.

With this recognition, and with our profound concern for the lasting prosperity of the Republic of Cameroon, CCDHR is imploring the Government of Cameroon to establish a truly independent, objective, and forceful electoral commission to conduct transparent, free, and fair elections in Cameroon, and enable a truly democratic Cameroon to emerge. CCDHR is also calling on the international community to take all necessary steps, including diplomatic pressure, and if necessary, economic and political sanctions to ensure that a viable democratic process is established capable of ensuring sustainable prosperity for the country and its citizens.

Besides the Secretary General of the United Nations, this petition has also been individually addressed and sent to the following:

• The Government of Cameroon

• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

• Secretary General of the Commonwealth

• Chairperson of the African Union

• Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

• President of the Council of the European Union

• Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

• Secretary General of the Organization of American States

• United States Ambassador to the United Nations

• British Ambassador to the United Nations

• Russian Ambassador to the United Nations

• French Ambassador to the United Nations

• Swiss Ambassador to the United Nations

• Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations

• Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations

• Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations

• German Ambassador to the United Nations

• Australian Ambassador to the United Nations

• South African Ambassador to the United Nations

• Cameroonian Ambassador to the United Nations

• Executive Director of Amnesty International

• Executive Director of Human Rights Watch

• Executive Director of National Democratic Institute

• Executive Director of the National Endowment for Democracy

• All the members of the US Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs

• Members of the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health

• All the members of the US Senate Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Democracy and Human Rights

• All the members of the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight

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