The National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) has presented an observation report on the October 7, 2018 presidential election. The report is a 28-page document presented during a press conference by the Commission’s Chairperson, Dr. Divine Banda Chemuta, in Yaounde on November 16, 2018.

Going by Dr. Divine Banda Chemuta, the Commission’s main findings reveal that the presidential election of October 7 was held in an atmosphere of calm, although there was some tension in the North West and South West Regions with a few incidences being recorded.

The report equally highlights some reasons for satisfaction amongst which are the introduction of ballot papers in Braille for the visually impaired, availability of voting materials throughout the national territory and security. NCHRF equally expressed satisfaction on better gender mainstreaming in the way polling station members were selected, as women and the physically challenged were strongly represented in the electoral process.

The commission regretted the low voter turnout, several abnormalities found on the electoral lists and lack of mastery of voting operations by members of local polling committee. It recommended measures to be adopted by stakeholders for better results in the future.