President Biya Convenes Regional Elections, Special status in sight

Decree Convening the Elections

The President of the Republic, Paul Biya has convene the first ever Regional Elections for Sunday December 6, 2020

The Elections will set up a Regional council in accordance with Section 243 of the Electoral code

As one of the fallouts of the Major National dialogue and as per law number 2019/024 to Institute the General code of Regional and local authorities, the North West and South West Regions will finally have to enjoy the benefits of the special status, which gives the Regions some degree of autonomy

The coming of the Regional Councils is as a means to fast track the Decentralisation process with the setting up of the Regions that is expected to bring governance closer to the people

The English speaking Regions will have 70 Regional councillors and 20 Chiefs, constituting the Regional Assembly

According section 328 of Law No 2019/024, the North West and South West Regions will be able to set up and manage regional development authorities, consulted on issues relating to the formation of policies in the Common law subsystem and the management of public services established in their respective territories

Before President Biya convened electors to the polls this Monday, September 7, 2020, the leader of the SDF, Ni John Fru Ndi and Prof Maurice Kamto of the MRC, had pointed out that the elections should be not take place unless the electoral code is reviewed and a ceasefire attained in the restive North West and South West regions.

While the SDF enjoys five of the 360 subdivisional councils, the MRC boycotted the February 9, 2020 Elections and only a miracle can give them seats at the Regional council

One year since the close of the Major National Dialogue, and the Decentralisation of 15% of the state budget beginning 2021, it could just be a new dawn in participatory democracy in Cameroon

The December 6, 2020 Regional Elections will take place at Divisional Headquarters. Polling will open at 8am and close at 6PM according the Presidential Decree convening the Elections

By

Ndi Tsembom Elvis