Irregularities Mar Elections In Ngoketunjia

By Chris Mbunwe & Wamey Panky

The twin elections of July 22 were marred by irregularities in Ngoketunjia Division, Northwest Province.

The first problem encountered by both voters and polling officers was the ink.They complained that it was watery and as such the SDO, Peter Mbu, had to go round instructing the polling officers to reinforce the ink with their pens.

Then there was the problem of multiple voting. Some individuals who had more than one voters' card were arrested, interrogated and later on released. Meanwhile, in Balikumbat, Fon Doh Gah Gwayin, who was convicted of murder, was accused of seizing voters' cards by UDP parliamentary candidate, Barrister Henry Kemande.  Balikumbat was heavily militarised especially at the entrance and exit. The Post spotted Fon Doh making rounds in a car registered as NW 2480 E.

Another problem that haunted the elections in Ngoketunjia was that at some polling stations, at about 4 pm, some political party representatives were not present.It would be recalled that the number of registered voters in Balikumbat stood at 17, 971; in Babessi Subdivision; 18,990, in Ndop Central; 20,195.

There was, however, low voter participation with less than 60 percent of the population going to the polls.Meanwhile in Nkambe, there seemed to be sufficient voting materials, no quarrelling or fighting at the polls. The indelible ink was not indelible as prescribed by the law.

This seemed to provide the opportunity for multiple voting. But Hon. Cyprian Awudu Mbaya, parliamentary hopeful for Nkambe, interrupted multiple voting at two polling stations and alerted the DO for Nkambe Central.At the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Nkambe, the officers took advantage of the absence of their colleagues who were on the field and those sent to Bakassi and cast votes on their behalf.

A certain 'Commander Power' performed voted for his friends who were absent until Awudu Mbaya intercepted him.The soldiers were instructed to take SDF ballot papers back to the barracks, else they would be sanctioned.Meanwhile, at Tabeken, the Fon after voting in his polling station, moved to the Catholic polling station and harassed and intimidated polling officers. There were bitter exchanges between the Fon and the polling station officers, until the Fon was advised to quit.

Comments

[shiningstar]

maybe our dear country needs to upgrade to electronic voting and then we can have free and fair elections. After every elections, there is always trouble, fights here and there. We kill our own brothers and sisters without looking to see who the main person/enemy is. We all know why people support CPDM, because they want to be eating free money and using the country's funds to make themselves rich. Why do people go to opposition parties? Because they want another opportunity, they want their voices heard. The questions we need to ask ourselves are," do we really want change? and if we do, why not team up as one big opposition party and fight against the CPDM? Teaming up here, will mean we are fighting for a common goal and course. As a southern Cameroonian, I believe to avoid all the conflicts we need to come as one and as southern Cameroonians not as SDF or ADP or whatever.We need one voice not many voices. Many voices will be like throwing water on a ducks back. common people, Do NOT FIGHT AMONG YOURSELVES, lest the common enemy will watch you and laugh and say; "look at those fools. They are fighting and arguing and killing themselves while I am enjoying their money."