Civic Participation, Elections and Democratic Processes
This domain tests how citizens take part in public life and how the electoral system works: who may vote, who organises elections, who settles disputes and which body proclaims results.
Democratic principles
Universal adult suffrage, secrecy of the ballot, periodic elections, political pluralism and equality of candidates. Multiparty politics returned in 1990 with Law No. 90/056 on political parties.
Legal framework and actors
The Electoral Code (Law No. 2012/001 of 19 December 2012, as amended) governs the system. ELECAM (Elections Cameroon), which replaced ONEL, manages voter registration and the conduct of polls and publishes provisional results. The Constitutional Council rules on presidential, parliamentary and senatorial disputes and proclaims results; the administrative courts hear disputes over council elections. A noted feature of the 2019 General Code of Regional and Local Authorities is that regional councillors are chosen indirectly rather than through a direct popular vote.
Who votes and who stands
Voting age is 20; registration on the electoral roll and a voter's card are required. Presidential candidates must be at least 35 and meet the sponsorship requirements of the Electoral Code; National Assembly candidates must be 23; senators must be 40. National Assembly members and councillors serve five years. Senators serve five years, 70 elected indirectly by regional councillors and 30 appointed by the President. Regional councillors are elected indirectly, 70 by municipal councillors and 30 by traditional rulers.
Forms of participation
Voting, joining a political party, standing for office, petitioning, joining a trade union or an association (Law No. 90/053), attending public consultations, community development work, using the media, and peaceful demonstration, which requires prior declaration (Law No. 90/055).
Worked example
A candidate for a council seat believes the count was rigged. Where does the petition go? Not to the Constitutional Council and not to ELECAM for a final ruling: it goes to the Administrative Court, which may annul the results and order a by-election. The Constitutional Council deals with presidential and parliamentary elections.
Traps
Giving the voting age as 18. Confusing ELECAM, which organises and publishes provisional results, with the Constitutional Council, which proclaims final results. Thinking the Senate is directly elected. Treating an NGO as a political party.