Le Turbo Japhet
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
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.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
