Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
b . No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Comments: As a rule, each district constitutes one electoral constituency. However, the boundaries of certain constituencies may be drawn by Presidential Decree, taking into account their particularities.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter V section 149 (2): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/07
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
g . Other
Comments: g) As a rule, each district constitutes one electoral constituency. However, the boundaries of certain constituencies may be drawn by Presidential Decree, taking into account their particularities.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter V section 149 (2): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/07
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber) c . Executive
Comments: As a rule, each district constitutes one electoral constituency. However, the boundaries of certain constituencies may be drawn by Presidential Decree, taking into account their particularities.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter V section 149 (2): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2012/08/09
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
b . Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Comments: The President of the Republic shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast through direct, equal and secret universal
suffrage.
Source: Constitution, Article. 6, (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/05
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The President of the Republic shall appoint the Prime Minister and, on the proposal of the latter, the other members of
Government. He shall define their duties.
Source: Constitution, Article. 10, (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/05
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Article. 6, (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/05
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The National Assembly and the Senate.
Source: Constitution, Article. 14, (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/05
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
e . Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
Comments: Plurality system in single-member constituencies and absolute majority system (containing elements of a bonus system and PR) in multi-member constituencies of different size (two to seven seats). If a list wins an absolute majority in a multi-member constituency it gets all the seats. If no list wins the absolute majority, the list with a relative majority gets at least half of the seats, the rest of the seats being distributed proportionally according to Hare quota between all the other lists that have passed the electoral threshold of 5%.
Source: Constitution, Chapter II sec 20 (2): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/06
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
b . Separate legislation
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code of 13 April 2012: http://www.assemblenationale.cm/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=82 (2012)
Verified: 2012/08/09
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections b . Regional elections c . Local elections d . Referendums
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code of 13 April 2012, art. 1: http://www.assemblenationale.cm/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=82 (2012)
Verified: 2012/08/09
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code of 13 April 2012, art. 2: http://www.assemblenationale.cm/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=82 (2012);
Constitution, art. 2 (3): http://www.assemblenationale.cm/images/stories/DOCUMENTS_PDF/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2012/08/09
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary b . EMB
Comments: a) The Constitutional Court;
b) The Electoral Council
Source: Electoral Code of 13 April 2012, art. 10 (2), 132 - 136: http://www.assemblenationale.cm/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=82 (2012);
Constitution, art. 48: http://www.assemblenationale.cm/images/stories/DOCUMENTS_PDF/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2012/08/09
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level d . Other kinds of elections (church, union, etc.) Please specify.
Comments: d) Referenda
Elections Cameroon shall be responsible for the organization, management and supervision of election and referendum operations.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter II section 7 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature g . Other
Comments: Elections Cameroon has an annual budget and a special budget for each election. The budget is drafted by the Director General of Elections and approved by the Electoral Council. The President of the Electoral Council shall forward the draft to the Government for review and presentation to the Parliament. Finally, the budget is included in the Finance Act which is adopted by the Parliament.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter V section 32 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
e . Another organ within the national government
Comments: A Public Accountant and an External Auditor are appointed by the Minister of Finance. The administrative account and the management account of Elections Cameroon shall be submitted annually to the Minister of Finance and to the Accounts Chamber of the Supreme Court.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter V section 34 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: Elections Cameroon is composed of the Electoral Council and the Directory General for Elections. The members of the Electoral Council are appointed for 4 years, whereas the Director General and the Deputy Director General of Elections are appointed for a 5-year term.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter I section 12 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments: “Elections Cameroon” shall be an independent body responsible for the organization, management and supervision of all election and referendum operations.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter I section 4 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
b . 11 - 20 members (specify)
Comments: The Electoral Board shall comprise eighteen (18) members, including 1 (one) Chairperson and 1 (one) Vice-Chairperson.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter I section 12 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments: The members of the Electoral Council are chosen from among persons of Cameroonian nationality, recognized for their competence, moral integrity, intellectual honesty, their sense of patriotism, their neutrality and impartiality.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter I section 12 (2): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State g . Political parties h . Civil society
Comments: The President, Vice-President and members of the Electoral Council are appointed by Presidential Decree after consultation with the civil society and political parties represented in the National Assembly. The Director General and the Deputy Director General for Elections are appointed by Presidential Decree, after consultation with the Electoral Council.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter I section 12 (3): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
h . Political parties/ candidates l . No voter education and information campaigns conducted m . No information available
Comments: Political parties and groups shall help the electorate in the making of voting decisions. They shall be bound to respect the
principles of democracy, national sovereignty and unity. They shall be formed and shall exercise their activities in accordance with the law.
Source: Constitution, Article. 3: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/07
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Transparency International Cameroon, Final Report of the Election Observation Mission to the Presidential Elections of 09 October 2011 in Cameroon: http://www.ti-cameroon.org/doc/Rapport%20final%20d%27observation_Elections%20prsidentielles_TI-C_eng.pdf (2012);
The Commonwealth, Final Report Final Report of the Election Observation Mission to the Presidential Elections of 09 October 2011 in Cameroon: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/files/242978/FileName/2011CETCameroonPresidentialElectionReport.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2012/08/10
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
n . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2018/11/07
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
e . 20
Comments: Every person of Cameroonian nationality of either sex, who has reached the age of 20 (twenty) years, is registered on an electoral register and is free from all cases of disqualification provided for by law, shall be entitled to be an elector
Source: Electoral Code Chapter I section 45: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship b . Period of Residence e . Other
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code Chapter I section 46: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: The electoral lists are established by the local departments of Elections Cameroon, in cooperation with the competent mixed committtes.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter III section 70 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: registration shall not be carried out automatically. It shall be done only at the express request of the elector
Source: Electoral Code Chapter III section 72 (3): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
d . No registration required
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code. https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/07
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship f . Registration i . Minimum level of literacy
Comments: Any Cameroonian citizen, of either sex, who enjoys the right to vote and is entered on electoral registers, is aged 23 (twenty-three) years at the date of the election and can read and write English or French can be nominated as a candidate for election to the National Assembly.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter II section 156: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/06
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
b . In presidential elections
Comments: Independent candidates can compete in presidential elections provided that they are supported with signatures of 300 personalities (30 personalities from each Region). In addition, candidates have to pay a deposit of 30,000,000 francs (45,735 euro).
Source: Electoral Code Chapter II section 121 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/06
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct c . Indirect
Comments: They may receive public funding in the context of their missions, according to conditions fixed under this law
Source: Electoral Code Chapter X section 275 (3): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/07
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Based on result of previous election c . Based on current legislative representation
Comments: Funds reserved for political parties represented in the National Assembly, the Senate, the Regional Council and / or City Council, are allocated in proportion to their current legislative representation.
In addition, there are funds allocated to political parties according to the number of votes obtained in the last elections, provided they have obtained at least 5% of the votes cast in at least one constituency.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter X section 281: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/06
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: (1) It shall be forbidden for any political party to receive subsidies or funding from foreign persons, organizations, powers
and/or States.
(2) Conditions for the private funding of political parties and election and referendum campaigns shall be fixed by a special instrument.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter X section 278: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/06
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments: Vote counting and tallying shall take place in each polling station immediately after the actual end of voting
Source: Electoral Code Chapter III section 109: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/05
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
g . No information available
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/06
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
b . Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
Comments: Free airtime is allocated to political parties in proportion to the number of candidates put forward. None of these political parties can be allocated less than 5 minutes on television and 10 minutes on radio during the campaign period.
Source: Decree No. 92/030 of 13 February 1992 regulating the access of political parties to public audiovisual media, art. 10: http://www.spm.gov.cm/fr/documentation/textes-legislatifs-et-reglementaires/article/decret-n-92030-du-13-fevrier-1992-fixant-les-modalites-dacces-des-partis-politiques-aux-medias-au.html (2012)
Verified: 2012/08/10
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
c . No
Comments:
Source: Transparency International Cameroon, Final Report of the Election Observation Mission to the Presidential Elections of 09 October 2011 in Cameroon: http://www.ti-cameroon.org/doc/Rapport%20final%20d%27observation_Elections%20prsidentielles_TI-C_eng.pdf (2012);
The Commonwealth, Final Report Final Report of the Election Observation Mission to the Presidential Elections of 09 October 2011 in Cameroon: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/files/242978/FileName/2011CETCameroonPresidentialElectionReport.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2012/08/10
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
g . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/08/10
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There are no specific legal provisions in this regard.
Source:
Verified: 2012/08/10
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution Article 36 (4). https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/07
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution Article 36 (4). https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/07
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The President of the Republic may decide to submit to referendum any bill or proposal regarding constitutional amendments. In this case, the text is adopted by a simple majority of votes cast.
In addition, the President of the Republic, after consultation with the President of the Constitutional Court, the President of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate, may submit to a referendum any reform bill that could have national implications.
Source: Constitution Article 36 (4). https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/07
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution. https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/07
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution. https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/07
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution. https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-constitution-of-cameroon-2008
Verified: 2018/11/07
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments: The referendum bill shall be adopted where, at the end of the referendum, “YES” carries the majority of the valid votes cast.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter VII section 213 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/07
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: The President of the Republic may, after consulting with the President of the Constitutional Council, the President of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate, submit to a referendum any reform bill which,although normally reserved to the legislative power, could have profound repercussions on the future of the Nation and national institutions
Source: Electoral Code Chapter VII section 197: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/07
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2018/11/07
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code Chapter III section 100 (3): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/06
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country
Comments: Cameroonian citizens settled or residing abroad shall exercise their right to vote through their participation in the election
of the President of the Republic and in referendums.
Source: Electoral Code Chapter X section 271: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/06
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates
Comments: Polling stations shall be set up in diplomatic representations and consular posts
Source: Electoral Code Chapter X section 271 (3): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/06
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: The election shall be by secret ballot. Uniform and opaque envelopes shall be used in voting.
Source: Electoral Code section 100 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
Verified: 2018/11/06
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