The Cameroon’s parliament has passed a law  allowing Cameroonians in the Diaspora to participate and vote in this year’s presidential election which takes place in October.Following this important development, the Cameroonian Ambassador to the Netherlands, her Excellency Mrs. Odette Melono has immediately begun taken practical measures to assure a very smooth registration and the coordination of a successful voting exercise in the Netherlands.

 

In the days ahead, H.E Mrs. Melono will be hosting a series of meetings with leaders of Cameroonian Communities in the Netherlands and Luxemburg. 

 

While planning towards that, the Head of Mission is as from this moment, requesting every Cameroonian (both in the Netherlands and Luxemburg) interested in participating in the upcoming elections to begin the first process which is to register at the Embassy. Registering at the Embassy entails applying for a consular card. This step is compulsory as it is the only way the embassy can keep a record of recognized Cameroonians. Individuals can contact the embassy to register. A consular card costs five (€5).

 

It should be noted that to register at the Embassy, you will be required to show some proof that you are a Cameroonian. This is logically to make sure only Cameroonians register at their Embassy.

The Ambassador will be announcing the full registration and voting details in the nearest future. This information will be published on the Embassy website.Finally the head of Mission is appealing to Cameroonians who may wish to get more and reliable information to contact the Cameroonian Embassy in The Hague.

 

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Yaoundé — Cameroonian citizens living abroad have now been granted the right to vote. A new legislation passed by Parliament and promulgated by the President has brought general satisfaction, although some members of the diaspora still believe more can be done.

 

 

Until now, Cameroonian citizens living abroad were not allowed to vote. They had to travel back to Cameroon in order to exercise that right. This is no longer the case. Following a vote by Parliament earlier this month, President Paul Biya promulgated, on 13 July, a law granting voting rights to Cameroonian residents abroad during presidential elections and referendums.

 

For many Cameroonians living outside their national borders, it is a sign of relief: "The electoral apartheid is over in Cameroon", rejoices Pierre Mila Assouté, an opposition member living in France. According to him, "the fortress of denial of citizenship on the basis of residence has fallen.

 

The inclusion of the disapora in the electoral process is a major political step that will bolster the next president's legitimacy". This sense of satisfaction is shared by Macaire Lemdja, also living in France. Lemdja adds, however, that it is "a timid first step towards satisfying the demands of this portion of the Cameroonian population", as, according to him, this legislation "calls for many others".

 

 

 

Criticism

 

 

 

For others from the diaspora, the new law is more "a work in progress". CODE (Collectif des Organisations Démocratiques et Partiotiques de la Diaspora), an organisation of Cameroonians residing in Europe, has raised some concerns. CODE fears that Cameroonians living abroad will not be able to vote at the presidential elections next October, due to the short timeframe.

 

"The voting right granted to the Cameroonian diaspora is unlikely to be practically enforced by October 2011", the organisation indicates. In fact, it will be difficult for Cameroonian authorities to make all the necessary arrangements. Moreover, President Paul Biya hasnot signed the regulatory texts which, according to the legislation, "specify (...) the terms for the implementation of the present law".

 

Another point of criticism is that Cameroonians will dual citizenship will not be allowed to vote. For various practical reasons and benefits, most Cameroonians have adopted the citizenship of their host countries.

 

 

 

Yet, dual citizenship is not recognised by Cameroonian law. "Ninety percent of our compatriots living abroad have a dual citizenship, which therefore automatically excludes them for the voting process", CODE indicates. There are also illegal immigrants. According to Jean Blaise Gweth, a Cameroonian citizen living in France, only 10% of his compatriots would benefit from this new voting right.

 

Fears of fraud

 

Furthermore, the provision of the law stating that "voting stations are to be created at diplomatic representations and consular offices, at the suggestion of government" is also cause for concern. For those opposing this provision, the creation of these voting stations will not only enable government control over the voting process, but also exclude those who cannot afford to get to the embassies and consulates.

 

"Some among us have to travel long distances. I hardly see a Cameroonian citizen, who can barely manage 10 euros a week for food, travelling from Strasbourg to Paris or Marseille", says Jean Blaise Gweth. Gweth also fears that some political leaders would take advantage of the precarious conditions of the compatriots to buy their votes.

 

 

Unsatisfied, Cameroonians from the diaspora also want "the constitutional recognition of dual citizenship as well as the ability to elect deputies or senators from the diaspora in parliament or the senate in Cameroon", as stated by CODE President, Brice Nitcheu.

 

It is during an official visit in France in July 2009 that Cameroonian President, Paul Biya, committed to legislating about the voting rights of Cameroonian citizens living abroad as well as the recognition of dual citizenship. Although there are no updated official figures, in 2010 the Minister of External Relations had estimated 4 million the number Cameroonians living abroad.

 

The first part of a series about the right for Africans living abroad to vote in their home country's elections. The second part about the right to vote in Kenya will be published on Wednesday 27 July 2011.

 

Mohamadou Houmfa

 

 

     Please read the Law Concerning the Diaspora Vote  (La Loi concernant le vote de la Diaspora) 

 

 

 

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