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ELECTORAL PROCEDURE

Section 199 of the General code of Regional and Local Authorities in Cameroon

  1. The maiden session of the council board shall be convened by the representative of the State, on the second Tuesday following proclamation of the municipal council election results. The session shall be devoted to the election of the mayor and deputy mayors.
  2. The distribution of deputy mayor positions must, as much as possible, reflect the configuration of the council board.

Section 200 of the General code

  1. The Mayor shall be elected in a two-round majority single/candidate ballot. The election shall be won in the first round by an absolutely majority of votes cast. Where an absolute majority is not obtained in the first round, a second round shall be organized. The candidate who obtains a relative majority of votes shall be declared elected. In case of a tie, the election shall be won by the eldest of the candidates.
  2. After election of the Mayor, the deputy mayors shall be elected by a proportional representation list system, following the highest average rule. Only ballot papers bearing a number of names equal to the number of members to the elected shall be valid.
  3. The ballot referred to in sub-sections 1 and 2 above shall be secret.
  4. The composition of the executive organ shall be established by order of the minster in charge of local authorities.

Thereafter, the Mayor and Deputy shall have to take an oath before the competent court prior to taking office according to section 201 of the General Code.

The council board sitting devoted to election of the mayor and deputy mayors shall be chaired by the eldest member, assisted by the youngest.

The list of those elected shall be made public by the president pro tem within no more than twenty-four hours following the proclamation of results by posting up at the council premises or the mayor’s office. It shall be notified to the representative of the State within the same period.

The mayor and deputy mayors shall be elected for the same term of office as the council board.

The election of the mayor and deputy mayors may be subject of a petition for cancellation, in accordance with the rules provided for by the laws in force regarding the cancellation of municipal council election.

Where the election is cancelled or, for any other reason, the mayor or his deputies have ceased discharging their duties, the council board shall be convened to replace them within 1 (one) month.

The mayor whose election is challenged shall stay in office until issuance of a final res judicata ruling.

In the event of death, resignation or dismissal of the mayor or a deputy, the council board shall be convened to elect a new mayor or deputy mayor within 60 (sixty) days following the death, designation or dismissal.

The Mayor shall be temporary replaced during the period provided for stated above by a deputy mayor, in order of precedence or, failing that by, one of the 5 (five) eldest councilors, designated by the council board.

In case of vacancy in the position of deputy mayor, the deputy mayors in service shall enjoy pre-emption right over the candidates for replacement, in order of precedence acquired during the preceding election.

The mayor is elected for a four year term and it is renewable once