/By
Macdonald Ayang Okumb/
“Put in every effort to ensure that the
number of registered voters in the South West Region increases before the end
of the voter registration period on 31 August 2015....And I enjoin you to do
every thing in your power to strengthen the confidence Cameroonians have begun
to have in elections Cameroon and in its management of the electoral process.”
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| Okha: SW ELECAM Delegate |
Those were the two key tasks given to
the South West Regional Delegate of Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, Barrister Okha Bau Okha, as he was officially
installed into his functions last Wednesday in Buea.
The installation excercise was conducted
by the Director General of Elections at ELECAM, Abdoulaye Babale, and came more
than one year after the Regional Delegate was appointed by a decision of ELECAM’s
Board.
Barrister Okha was appointed by decision
no. 0159/ELECAM/CE of 9 July 2014 but could not be commissioned immediately due
to the blown out conflict that existed between the ELECAM Board Chairman, Dr.
Samuel Fonkam Azu’u, and the former Director General, Mohaman Sani Tanimou.
Babale, Tanimou’s successor, who set out
for the installation excercise just two weeks after President Biya appointed
him, however pointed that the two immediate tasks were not in any way the only ones
that the new Delegate would be expected to excercise as ELECAM boss for the South
West.
He said his other functions would, among
others, include; “...the organisation, the supervision and the follow-up of
electoral operations and referendums, the supervision of the distribution of
voters’ cards, the distribution of election materials within the region, the
updating and safe-guarding of the regional register of voters, the preparation
of the operating budget of the regional delegation as well as the management of
regional personnel.”
Babale further told Okha that in order
for him to effectively execute his assignments, it will be inevitable for him
to build and work with a strong and faithful team of collaborators.
His words: “I strongly advise that you
assume a true leadership role that will enable you to earn and deserve the
confidence and trust of the personnel under your responsibility. Strive to
inspire and reassure them at all time by being the role model...ensure
discipline but at the same time, offer them the protection, consideration and
the assistance they need.”
An elated Okha told the press he was
ready to continue working with renewed panache. He swore to up the number of
registered voters in the region before this month-end deadline. “So far, we
have registered well over 12,398 voters and I promise to do my best to increase
that number before the deadline runs out. I think we have improved this year
because last year, by the time the excercise ended, the region had registered
just a little over 7,000 voters...” Okha said.
Okha’s installation ceremony was
attended by administrative and security officials, political party leaders,
members of the civil society, traditional rulers, ELECAM staff and other
stakeholders relevant in the electioneering process.
The newly installed delegate was born on
21 December 1961 in Kumba. He is a lawyer by training and practice, being a
member of the Bar Associations of Cameroon and Nigeria. Before his appointment
as regional delegate for south west, Okha served as chief of service in charge
of electoral operations and referendums at the same delegation. He takes over
from Emmanuel Njang Mbeng who has gone on retirement.
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