Voters in Bamenda turned out early on election day to participate in the 2025 Presidential election, despite the separatist imposed lockdown and a heavy downpour that slowed movement across the city. The process, according to authorities, went on without major incidents in most areas of the North West region.

At exactly 9:32, North West Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique cast his vote at the polling structure located at the former Public Works building in Bamenda I Subdivision. He expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the exercise and encouraged others to vote peacefully.

“I voted myself here today, and I can see that there are many voters waiting to exercise their right to choose the one who will rule this nation in the next coming years. I will therefore ask them to continue like this, without hindrance,” Governor Adolphe Lele said.

At the Government Primary School (GPS) Old Town in Bamenda II Subdivision, hundreds of voters were seen early in the morning checking their names and casting their votes. The polling center, which hosts several polling stations, recorded a high turnout, mostly from the Muslim community that dominates the area.

According to Ezekiel Njichi, District Chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) in Bamenda II, the turnout at GPS Old Town was encouraging compared with other parts of the subdivision. “This area is hosting about 26 polling stations. I’m relatively impressed with the turnout compared with others, most especially the JMA Primary School and the old Council Library,” he said.

Lockdown and challenges

While the election was largely peaceful, some voters complained about the difficulties they faced reaching polling centers due to the agglomeration of polling stations and lockdown restrictions.

“The first challenge is that people are unable to exercise their civic responsibility. People have complained that they cannot trek long distances to come and vote, which is in violation of the Electoral Code”, said Njichi.

He added that out of 206 polling stations in Bamenda II, only four centers were operational due to security reasons, making it hard for voters from far neighborhoods like Chumba and Songwa to participate.

Nchi Dieudonne, an SDF militant, said he trekked over 10km to vote at GBS GMI in Bamenda II. “People want to vote, but it has been organized in such a way that it is impossible for many to do so. Authorities should make future elections more accessible,” he said.

Observers from the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Bamenda described the situation in Mezam Division as calm, though turnout was uneven across the area.

ELECAM revealed that 808,200 persons were registered in the North West region, including 2,410 persons with disabilities, and a total of 2,528 polling stations were allocated for the election.

By Mboh Promise