Legislative, Municipal Polls: High Stake Elections

F ollowing the convening of the electoral college by the Presi­ dent of the Republic, electoral operations for the twin elections (legislative and municipal elections) officially get into another stage. Electors have been convened to the polls on Sunday February 7, 2027 to elect new legislators and coun­ cillors. The Presidential decree comes with heightened effervesce in the process, though political parties had already began preparations as ob­ served with the multiple meetings organised by those interested in competing in the race to the National Assembly and Municipal Councils. More particular is the context in which the convening of electors to the polls takes place. Firstly, it comes after mandate extensions for these elected officials, which somehow already began making them com­ fortable and potential occupants confused. The term of office of Members of Parliament has been extended twice by the President of the Republic. Elected in January 2020 for a five- year mandate, legislators of the 10th legislature experienced an ex­ tension from March 2025 to March 2026. Following the modification of the Electoral Code, the mandate was again extended to the first quarter of next year. The same fate has been experienced by Municipal Councillors, with an initial extension from February 25, 2025 to May 31, 2026. Eleven months was later again added to their mandate, shif­ ting expiring day to February 2027. The organisation of the Presidential election in October 2025 and the Regional Council elections in No­ vember of the same year, all electoral operations which cannot be post­ poned according to the Constitution, the organisation of several interna­ tional events, and other exigencies not dependent of Cameroon, are some of the reasons as advanced by government, that led to the man­ date extensions. Now, these elec...