Tension in Misaje Over Gross Violations in Issuance of Free Identity Cards

 Le Turbo Japhet

The issuing of free identity cards in Misaje Sub Division of Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region is generating a lot of tension and controversy. Tension is reported in Misaje over the gross violation in the procedure of issuing free identity cards. The nervousness we gathered is orchestrated by the fact that the CPDM is accused of violating the procedures in order to register its militants in defiance of the text which prescribes the necessary documents needed to obtain a free identity card.

It is no more new that President Biya decided to offer the issuance of free identity cards in order to curb voter apathy. This initiative was intended to encourage the poorer of the poor to participate in electing local officials but naïve politicians are violating the text for personal interest, sources hinted. It is clear that the main documents to acquire a free identity card is a photocopy of birth certificate, and or an attestation of birth issued by the Mayor and copy of Nationality signed by the President of the Court(compulsory everywhere). Yet Misaje Sub Division seems to have a special status. Contrary to what has been observed in other places, in Misaje the attestation of birth is issued by the Divisional Officer and not the mayor. And the most pathetic thing is that identity cards are issued in Misaje without a signed Nationality attached.  

Moreso, youths below the ages of 20 are reported to have been issued identity cards and registered wherein their ages have been increased giving that anyone below 20 is rejected by the biometric system. These tricks classified sources hinted is generating a lot of heat and tension and like volcano could explode. The question many have been asking is whether Misaje Sub Division has become state within a state with its own laws. According to information gathered from reliable sources the masquerade has been masterminded by politicians to register voters. It is even alleged that the scheme to rig voter’s registration has been conceived by Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry, Secretary of State for Mines, Industries and Technological Development.  Speaking to this reporter on phone, Maah Isaac SDF diehard in Misaje frowned at the obnoxious practice and the violation of procedures. He reiterated that it is also an abuse of human rights. “It is really a pity that some people think they can always fool the people all the time”. He said the people are being fooled because they will never have the original of the identity card. “This is another form of rigging”, he added. Classified sources hinted that there is tension as some politicians are threatening to go to the street if the situation is not taken care of immediately. They say the trick is intended to rig elections. One politician who preferred not to be mentioned hinted that the absence of police officials in the identification post has given way to multiple lapses. More so, they are also accusing the Divisional officer of signing the attestation of birth and the receipt of the identity card. He argued that it is unlawful because if the Divisional Officer is signing attestations births, he could equally sign the birth certificates and marriage certificates which is also in defiance of the law in force.

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