Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, Director General, Mohammad Sani Tanimou, has said the institution is now recognised worldwide, following its winning of the “Accessibility Award” from the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies, ICPS.

Speaking on January 30, while receiving New Year wishes, Tanimou said the handing over of the award took place in December 2014, in Cape Town, South Africa.

According to the Director General, the award is very significant. “It signifies that the work of ELECAM is acknowledged and recognised worldwide and that ELECAM is now playing in the big league.

This was a genuine international competition and not just a mere reward. For that, we are proud and we hope that this prize will be recognised by all stakeholders in the electoral process,” he stated.

He further stated that it was due to inclusion of the minority groups in the electorate process, composed of persons with disabilities that gave ELECAM an edge over other competitors.

“We gladly share this prize with the minority groups, composed of persons with disabilities, for it is thanks to the actions carried out in their favour that ELECAM impressed the jury and won the prize,” he remarked.

The ELECAM boss thanked the staff and the team of the Directorate General of Elections, who put in a lot of efforts to enable ELECAM win the prize.

Underlining some important achievements of ELECAM, Tanimou revealed that the institution pledged to undertake a methodical revision of electoral registers within the national territory and the Diaspora.

“As of August 31, 2014, 139,724 new voters were registered within the country and 8,043 voters in the Diaspora.

More than 200,000 new voter cards were printed; provisional and final electoral registers were equally printed and made available to voters for consultation at Council branch offices.

Again, the voters’ register, consolidated at 5,597,735 voters, was also posted online,” he said.

Tanimou said concerning assets, construction work on the ELECAM head office has kicked off effectively.

“I am pleased to confirm to you that, as from November 30, 2014, work effectively began. Within a few months, the building will be completed,” he stated.

He hailed the retired Regional Delegates of ELECAM for a job well done and presented gifts to them as gestures for meritorious services.

He said the registration of voters for 2015 within and out of the country, the production and distribution of voters’ cards and electoral registers, is ongoing.

He asserted that there is a progressive improvement of the working conditions of staff members and announced that the procedure for procuring some 100 off-road motorcycles has been initiated in order to replace those out of service.