Mad rush to submit senatorial candidacies as deadline nears, a look at legal provisions
who has the right to become a Senator in Cameroon
By Nukapuh P
Aspiring senators in Cameroon are in a hurry to compile and submit their documents, as the deadline draws closer.
On January 13, 2023, President Paul Biya through a press release announced that the senatorial elections will take place for the third time on March 12, 2023.
After the announcement day, political parties have to submit a list of candidates chosen from their members within 15 days, declaring their interest.
The Upper House of the parliament was created in 1996 but President Paul Biya who had the power to convene the electoral college only signed the decree 2013/056 on 27 February 2013, for the first Senatorial election in Cameroon on April 14, 2013.
In Bamenda, just like other towns in Cameroon, at least 6 candidates already declared their interest in Mezam, as of January 16. Amongst them is former YCPDM Mezam president, Chima Ernest
Members of the SDF political party on January 17 held a meeting, which was purposefully to discuss the upcoming senatorial elections.
According to the electoral law of No. 2012/001 of 19 April relating to the Electoral Code, section 220, sub 1 and 2, you must have full civil and political rights, be a Cameroonian, reside in the region, and be 40 years and above to become eligible to stand as a candidate. There are substantive and alternate members as the electoral code makes provision for that.
The Cameroon electoral code in section 219. states that- (1) In case of the death of an elected Senator and in compliance with the provisions of Section 155 above, by-elections shall be held in the Region
concerned.
(2) By-elections shall be held under the conditions stipulated in
Section 218 above. However, where there is only one vacant seat to be filled, a
single ballot uninominal majority election shall be held.
(3) In case of death of an appointed Senator, at the behest of the
President of the Senate, a new Senator shall be appointed to complete his term.
Some 70 out of the 100 senators are usually elected by municipal councilors, while the president appoints 30. And every region has a total of 10 of which 7 are elected and 3 are amongst the appointed ones.
This will be the 3rd since 2013 that the first senatorial elections were concerned in Cameroon.
Section 216 (2) stipulates that Senatorial elections shall be held no later than 40 (forty)
days to the expiry of the current term of office.
