Through a press release dated Wednesday, December 5, 2019, ELECAM dissociates itself from some doubtful individuals who collect money from potential candidates promising to ensure their files are accepted by the Electoral Board of ELECAM.

The elections management body warns potential candidates to avoid such malpractices given that the law will be applied to the latter.

“The Director General of Elections wishes to inform the general public that certain individuals, clearly ill-intentioned, are attempting to extort money from politicians and candidates promising to secure the approval of their nomination papers at Elections Cameroon, and by extension, enable them to participate in the 9 February 2020 twin legislative and municipal elections,” Dr. Essousse writes.

He goes on to clarify that Elections Cameroon is in no way part of the evil scheme and enjoins those who have fallen victim under such a guise to denounce the said scammers to the competent authorities.

Hear him: “For this reason, I would like to assure the general public that Elections Cameroon is in no way involved with this malicious activity, and therefore calls on all persons who have been approached under this guise, to denounce these scammers to the competent authorities.”

Rumour has it that some politicians whose candidacy files were rejected by their parties have been trying to use “backdoor” contacts at the headquarters of ELECAM to smuggle in their files. Those who missed the submission deadline are also trying to buy their way through.

Candidatures to the elections were to be submitted within 15 days from November 9, 2019 when the Electoral College was convened to the polls by a presidential decree.

Pursuant to Section 187 of the Electoral Code, Members of the Electoral Board are currently examining candidacy papers and have up to 60 days before the elections to publish the lists of candidates. Those whose files will be rejected will then have the opportunity to seize the Constitutional Council for redress.