The atmosphere at the Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) Council and Divisional Branch Offices as well as head office yesterday July 17, 2013 was tense and at the same time full of suspense and activity. Besides press men who had thronged the vicinity of the ELECAM Bastos office where nomination papers for political parties vying for seats at the National Assembly were submitted, curious onlookers also watched as staff went on with their daily chores.
But real business started at about 1 pm when Joachim Tabi Owona arrived with nomination papers for "Action pour le Méritocratie et l'Egalité de Chances' (AMEC) running for constituencies in the Nyong and So'o Division of the Centre Region. He was closely followed by the Chairman of the People's Action Party (PAP), Ayah Paul Abime who disclosed the party's intention to participate in upcoming twin elections in four constituencies; Meme West, Manyu, Lebialem and Buea Centre.
Thus, only two political parties submitted papers in Yaounde by 2 pm. Another political party leader only made entry in ELECAM head office by 5:30 pm. Theodore Yimgaing of 'Mouvement citoyen' (MOCI) came crying loud about his inability to pay caution at the taxation office for what he termed the absence of those in charge. He said he went knocking at the doors of the taxation office by 3 pm in vain. By 6 pm, the Chairman of the National Movement for Progress in Cameroon (MNPC), Mohamadou emerged at the second floor of ELECAM where the exercise was taking place with his bag full of files. He disclosed that MNPC will be gunning for seats in Ngoketunjia North and South in the North West Region. Closely followed was Bertin Kisob, the National Chairman of Cameroon Party for Social Change (CPSJ) who told the press that his party will be vying for seats in Bamenda I, II and III and equally in Santa all in the North West Region. The Acting National Chairman of 'Congrès National Camerounais' (CNC), Marcus Lountou submitted candidatures for Mezam Centre and South in the North West Region. By 8 pm, the Chairman of 'Union de Forces Democratiques du Cameroun' (UFDC), Victorin Hameni Mbileu was in door one of the second floor, undergoing the submission procedure.
By press time, national trends revealed the submission of SDF candidatures in Nwa in the North West and in ELECAM offices in the South West. The CPDM was also reported to have submitted files for candidatures in the North, North West and South West Regions. The 'Revolution Camerounaise du people Uni' (RCPU) of Abba Aboubakar was also reported to have submitted their nomination papers in Ngaoundéré, the Adamawa Region.