Election management officials in Cameroon have expressed their appreciation to the Commonwealth Secretariat for a series of capacity building workshops to help deliver credible, transparent and inclusive elections.
Held from 17-28 March, the training sessions for 150 Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) field staff across ten regions in the country, will help support more rigorous preparations and support for Cameroon's presidential elections scheduled for October 2025.
Key areas of the training programme included topics such as electoral administration, voter registration, international standards and principles, conflict management, and ethics.
Praising the workshop, Hamadama Mawadom, an election management veteran, said:
"This training has been a game-changer for me, and I believe regular sessions – ideally every two years – would significantly enhance the capacity of ELECAM staff. Because by being better informed, we can confidently carry out our duties and contribute to the success of the forthcoming elections.”
Fellow participant Ambe Maurine echoed a similar sentiment:
"The emphasis on bilingualism was a key factor in the training's success. It has also fostered a sense of teamwork and collaboration among participants who are also colleagues, which is essential for effective electoral management. I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge gained from this workshop”
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Ngaoundere, Enow Dickson Enow, Technical Advisor No. 1 at the Office of the President and a facilitator of the workshops, thanked the Commonwealth for its support:
“As we prepare for critical political events on the horizon, including the presidential elections scheduled for October 2025 and the second regional elections that will follow, the importance of this training cannot be overstated. The integrity of our electoral process is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is imperative that we equip our electoral personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the electoral landscape.’’
Lindiwe Maleleka, Political Adviser at the Electoral Support Section of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and also a facilitator of the series of workshops stated:
“It is during elections that the credibility of institutions and fundamental rights are tested in a country. An election conducted according to internationally accepted standards is one of the most important indicators of a country's commitment to democracy and democratic processes. ELECAM's dedication to building the capacity of staff of the electoral Board and the field officials, demonstrates its commitment to democracy and democratic principles."
The Commonwealth Secretariat supports election management bodies like ELECAM throughout the electoral process, implementing its Whole of Election Cycle approach which involves working with key stakeholders at every stage, including before elections, to boost their skills and strengthen the electoral process in Cameroon.
Mr. Fabo Darline, lead facilitator of the workshop noted that the experience has been a learning curve, building on the previous capacity building support from the Commonwealth Secretariat. He said:
“These workshops have proven to be an invaluable opportunity for ELECAM personnel to enhance their skills and knowledge in the conduct of electoral processes. The enthusiastic participation and interaction among participants underscored the importance of collaborative learning. The training is expected to produce another cohort of trainers who will be able to share knowledge gained with their colleagues in their respective regions as it has been the case with previous training workshops”.
The Commonwealth's long-standing relationship with Cameroon, actively supporting and promoting democratic reforms, led to the establishment of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) in December 2006, marking the creation of the country's first independent election management body.
Since its inception, the Commonwealth Secretariat has collaborated with ELECAM to conduct more than ten training workshops focused on election administration. So far, eight elections have been organised under ELECAM's purview.
Media contact
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Temitope Kalejaiye, Public Relations and Engagement Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat
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