“Little drops they say make an ocean”.

The value of a single vote in the model of a liberal democratic politics to which many African countries today aspire of, cannot be overrated. It transcends beyond its numerical value. Each vote represents the foundational element of liberal democracy, signifying the power and agency of every citizen to shape the future and influence the course of their nation. Although a single vote might appear insignificant when equated to the enormous number of votes cast, its true significance lies in the principles it upholds and the collective impact it can have on that nation and society as a whole. The essential value of one vote lies in its ability to empower citizens. In casting a vote, individuals actively participate in the democratic process, exercising their right to freely express their choices and opinions. In light of this, participation promotes a sense of responsibility and belonging in citizens, as they feel important and recognize their role in influencing the leadership, policies as well as direction of their country.

Individuals recognition of the impact of their votes invites an increase in desire to become all the more engage in political discourse, seek information about aspirants and issues, and actively participate in the public sphere. This increase in civic participation strengthens the fabric of democracy, as an informed and engaged citizenry is essential for a thriving society. As such, the value of one vote goes beyond its immediate outcome. It plays a crucial role in fostering civic engagement among citizens.

For a country like Cameroon, where a single president has held power for over 30 years, the value of an individual’s vote becomes even more significant. The elongated stay in power of one leader raises questions about the concentration (absorption) of power and a pressing need for reforms. In such a context, a single vote is crucial and presents a unique opportunity to challenge the status quo, foster democratic reforms, and shape the future of the nation. This article aims to explore the inherent value of the vote of every single Cameroonian, youths in particular, highlighting the competence of the election’s board (ELECAM) in empowering citizens, and revitalizing democracy in the country.

Elections Board Cameroon

The Elections Management Body (EMB) in Cameroon ELECAM was established in 2006 by the President of Cameroon on December 29^th, 2006 by Law No. 2006/011 of 29 December 2006 set up and laid down the organization and functioning of ELECAM, while Decree No.  2008/372  of  11  November  2008  determined  the  modes  of  enforcement  of  certain  provisions  of  the  2006 ELECAM  Law.  ELECAM  is  an  independent  body  responsible for  the  organization,  management  and  supervision  of  all election operations and referendums in Cameroon (Sections 4(1) of the ELECAM Law). It has since it’s coming into force organized and conducted different elections, including council elections, legislative, parliamentary and presidential elections.

The establishment of the electoral board has seen great progress towards the improvement of the electoral process in the country from what obtained before 2008 when National Election organization (NEO) and Ministry of Territorial. Administration and. Decentrallization (MINATD) were in charge. Amongst these improvements in the electoral system has been the ELECAM biometric system in keeping with sections 84 of the Electoral Code which covers voter’s registration, voter’s cards and electoral rolls. However, concerns on the independence and impartiality of the electoral body continues to linger in the minds of the citizens. In addition to this concerns, are argument’s raised by critics on issues of lack of transparency in that, the process of appointment of members, definition of roles and responsibilities and ensuring accountability risk insufficient transparency, leading to potential manipulation as a result of lack of accountability.  One pertinent aspects of these concerns is lack of public confidence which continues to play a pivotal role in preventing citizens from exercising their right to vote. This is so owing to the fact that the president appoints the board members.

Voter apathy in Cameroon poses a serious challenge to democratic processes and citizen participation. Several factors contribute to this problem. Firstly, there is a lack of trust in the political system due to corruption, electoral fraud, and perceived unaccountability of politicians. Secondly, limited political education hampers citizens’ understanding of political processes and their rights, diminishing their ability to make informed decisions. The dominance of one political party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), is seen as unresponsive to citizens’ needs, fostering disillusionment and apathy. Economic hardships, including poverty, unemployment, and inequality, create a sense of powerlessness and discourage political engagement. Additionally, the absence of politicians in their communities and their failure to develop effective campaign strategies further exacerbate the problem. Politicians’ disconnection from the communities they represent results in a lack of understanding of the challenges faced by the community. This disconnect prevents the development of campaigns that resonate with the people’s interests and fails to motivate them to engage and vote. In like manner, insufficient media coverage, particularly in local communities, limits access to information about elections and candidates.

The issue of voter apathy in Cameroon begs the question of what efforts ELECAM has made to change this rhetoric. It is necessary for the electoral board to examine the reasons behind voter apathy and develop strategies to not only generate interest in exercising voting rights but to actively engage citizens in electoral processes. It is particularly concerning that the majority of the disinterested and unengaged individuals in the country’s electoral processes are the youths, who are considered the “future leaders”. This situation raises concerns about what the future holds.

The disengagement of young people from political processes in Cameroon undermines the representation and participation of an entire generation. Young people are dynamic and creative, and their active involvement is crucial for their views to be properly represented. However, it is problematic when only a small number of young individuals show interest and actively engage in political processes. The older generation sometimes perceives the youth’s as disinterested in civic engagement, assuming they are more focused on seeking opportunities abroad. However, this disengagement may be the result of unfavorable conditions that hinder youth’s participation such as; lack of youth’s friendly policies and limited access to political spaces and institutions.  Moreover Socio-economic challenges, including the extremely high unemployment rate and limited access to quality education and healthcare, divert the attention and priorities of young Cameroonians away from political engagement. These unfavorable conditions create a sense of disillusionment, exclusion, and disinterest among the youths, making it crucial to address these barriers and foster an environment that encourages and empowers young Cameroonians to actively participate in political processes.

One significant factor contributing to youth disengagement in Cameroon is the perception that electoral processes in Africa have been marred by massive rigging over the years (Martin & Bruce 2019). This perception has mentally conditioned young people to believe that their votes do not count. However, rather than being resigned to negativity, young people should rise to the challenge and embrace in a positive way the “Gen Z” generation identity and leverage technology to influence the political landscape of their country.

The Stakes

The continuous disinterest of citizens in electoral processes in Cameroon has significant implications for the 2025 elections and the future. The disregard for voting only means that the incumbent, H. E Paul Biya, is likely to assume power once again, prolonging his service for another term of 7 years. Despite citizens’ desire for change, the lack of active participation through casting their single votes hinders the possibility of a democratic transition. The future of Cameroon and the potential for change in the 2025 elections largely depends on citizens rising to the challenge, engaging in the electoral process, and securing voter’s cards. With August 30th, 2024 marking deadly to secure a voters card approaching, it becomes crucial for Cameroonians to take action now to avoid further elongation of the incumbent’s rule.

Conclusion

The importance of a vote cannot be overstated, and it is encouraging to see that ELECAM has taken steps to enhance integrity, and participation in electoral processes. The engagement of independent observers and collaboration with civil society organizations in raising awareness are positive developments that contribute to transparency and accountability. These initiatives are crucial in helping citizens see the value of their votes. Furthermore, the recent campaign by ELECAM to involve young people in electoral processes is a promising initiative. However, there is still a need for further efforts in this regard. It is essential to create an environment that empowers young people to actively engage in political processes. This can be achieved by addressing concerns around electoral transparency, promoting civic education, and harnessing technology to enhance youth participation. By dispelling the notion that their votes are insignificant and providing platforms for meaningful engagement, young people can become catalysts for positive change and shape the future of their nation. ELECAM should continue to prioritize youth engagement by expanding outreach strategies, leveraging social media platforms, and actively involving young people in decision-making processes.

By building on these existing initiatives and implementing additional measures, ELECAM can strengthen its credibility and foster greater trust among citizens. Continued collaboration with independent observers, civil society organizations, and youth-focused initiatives will contribute to more inclusive and transparent electoral processes, enabling citizens to recognize and appreciate the true value of their votes.

It can be said therefore that, while ELECAM has made commendable progress in recent years, there is still more work to be done. By remaining committed to engaging stakeholders, raising awareness, actively involving young people, and emphasizing the significance of each vote, ELECAM can further enhance the integrity, inclusivity, and citizens’ understanding of the power they possess in shaping the democratic future of Cameroon.

References

• Ngwang Roger, (2023. April 27). Youth political participation in Africa : Lessons from the 2023 Nigerian Presidential elections.
• Martin Ronceray and Bruce Byiers (2019, October). Elections in Africa – Playing the game or bending the rules?
• Ewang Sone Andrew (2020, March). The Cameroon Electoral Process: Stakes, Challenges and Propects of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM)
• Dr Kuba Abouem Perpétue (2024, January 18) Reflecting On Post-Electoral Disputes: A Need to Promote Living Together And The Authority Of The State In Cameroon
• Reversing the trend: Addressing the Decline in Youth Civic Participation

Lilianne-Franka