Around 20 Commonwealth election observers are in Cameroon to monitor next week’s presidential election, the head of the delegation told reporters in Yaounde on Monday.
”We are here at the invitation of the government of Cameroon to observe the presidential election of 11 October,” said former Canadian prime minister Joe Clark, head of the observer team.
”We have to determine in our own judgment whether the conditions exist for a free expression of will by the electors and determine if the results of the elections reflect the wishes of the people,” he said.
President Paul Biya faces 15 other candidates in next Monday’s election, which the incumbent is widely expected to win against a divided opposition.
”We will clearly not be able to be present at every polling station, but we will travel extensively, consult widely and take every opportunity to witness the process first hand,” Clark said.
Before the polls, the observers will meet election officials, the heads of political parties, representatives of civil society and other observer groups.
”In addition to the polling and counting process, we will also observe the campaign, the media coverage and the electoral process as a whole,” Clark said.
The Commonwealth team, which numbers around 20, will submit a report of the election to the 53-nation grouping’s secretary general, Don McKinnon of New Zealand.
Cameroon has been a member of the Commonwealth since 1995. – Sapa-AFP