In a move that has sparked widespread debate, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya announced on Friday, December 20, the appointment of new board members to Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the institution tasked with overseeing the nation’s elections. Among the new appointees are Moutou Ze Jean Bernard and Nanga Charles, while the mandates of four existing members—Titi Nwel Pierre, Christopher Tambe Tiku, Mohammadou Boubakar, and Njipendi Salifou—were renewed.
As the country prepares for the pivotal 2025 presidential election, these appointments have raised concerns about the neutrality and integrity of ELECAM. The body, chaired by Enow Abrams Egbe and directed by Erik Essousse, holds the critical responsibility of ensuring a transparent electoral process. Yet, critics argue that ELECAM’s history of alleged partiality casts doubt on its ability to guarantee free and fair elections under the current regime.
Opposition groups and civil society organizations have consistently accused ELECAM of serving as a tool for President Biya, whose grip on power has spanned over four decades. These criticisms have resurfaced with fresh intensity following the latest appointments, as they are seen by many as consolidating Biya’s influence over the electoral body.
Mbvoum Aloys Parfait, leader of the opposition National Republican Forum, has openly condemned the inclusion of Moutou Ze Jean Bernard and Nanga Charles on ELECAM’s board. In a pointed letter to President Biya, Parfait argued that these individuals’ affiliations with the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) undermine the board’s mandate for political neutrality.
“These appointments betray the spirit of impartiality that ELECAM is required to uphold by law,” Parfait wrote. “To entrust individuals with known ties to the CPDM with overseeing our elections is to erode public confidence in the democratic process.” He called on the president to revoke these appointments to safeguard both the credibility of ELECAM and the legitimacy of the 2025 elections.
ELECAM’s track record has done little to allay fears of bias. Over the years, the body has faced accusations of electoral fraud, including allegations of vote manipulation and favoring the incumbent regime. These controversies have contributed to a deepening mistrust in Cameroon’s electoral processes, particularly among opposition parties and international observers.
Critics argue that ELECAM’s structural composition inherently favors the ruling CPDM, citing the presence of individuals whose loyalties to the regime compromise their ability to act impartially. The newly announced appointments have only reinforced this perception, casting a shadow over the upcoming election before campaigns have even begun.
As the countdown to 2025 begins, calls for comprehensive electoral reforms are growing louder. Many Cameroonians see the need for a truly independent electoral commission, one free from political interference and capable of upholding democratic principles.
“Elections should reflect the will of the people, not the ambitions of a select few,” said one political analyst. “Without genuine reforms, Cameroon risks further undermining its democratic institutions.”
With President Biya’s latest appointments to ELECAM, the stage appears set for yet another contentious electoral cycle. For a nation grappling with internal conflicts and growing demands for political accountability, the integrity of the 2025 presidential election will be a crucial test of its democratic resilience.
