Senatorial 2023: Post-electoral process, what more is left?

Cameroonians are waiting for the official proclamation of the results of the just-ended senatorial elections, which took place on March 12 across the country.

The Constitutional Council is the institution with the final say. But before rendering the results public within the next 15 days, a procedure that already started has to be followed.

The national vote counting commission is currently verifying the results collected from the ten regions of the country. This includes the scrutiny of petitions in case of any submissions, which will end on Wednesday, 72 hours following the election day.

“I think we are ready. There are always litigations so we are here at the tail end to examine whatever petitions that come in” Paul Tchonji Nkwi, a member of the Constitutional Council said.

According to article 132 of the electoral code, after the reception of litigations, the different reporting officers will examine the complaints and deposit them ahead of a public audience to be organized by the Constitutional Council.

“So far, no complaint has been received,” officials of the legal structure indicate, 48 hours after the polls.

While the results of 70 elected senators have to be verified and proclaimed in not more than two weeks, the Head of State will, from the date of proclamation, be expected to appoint the remaining thirty members of the upper house of parliament, within a ten-day period.