This section extols the need to promote accountability and responsiveness in the leaders, including during a war.
It also promotes the opportunity for voter education in an open and competitive election process which would force aspirants to defend their past actions and future plans for their proposed tenure. The following two paragraphs are quoted directly:
” Elections thus provide political education for citizens and ensure the responsiveness of democratic governments to the will of the people. The overwhelming majority of Southern Cameroonian (Ambazonians) have demanded election modalities to govern the conduct of elections to the presidency of the country. “
“This law (Election Modalities) is therefore intended to provide a leveled playing field where Ambazonians aspiring to presidential leadership of our struggle can exercise their civic rights in a free and fair election.
Modalities of election of members into other institutions shall be subject to another law (The APP Laws).”
The Critique
The responsiveness extoled here in this quote contrasts with the Restoration Council’s lack of response to the flaws and deficiencies outlined in the Executive feedback! It is tempting to also point to the several typographical errors which persist in the document. Laws are supposed to be unambiguous and the minimum that should have been ensured was that the words used were the intended words and one way is to submit to many eyes to help spot and correct them.
The unintended consequence of the “competitive” process has lead to challenges verging on personal insults and interpreted as such! Ambazonia News doubts whether this particular artefact was intended or anticipated by the RC. The solution would have been a properly reviewed and amended document based on common consensus rather than a flawed edict which the RC then allowed many vocal “defenders” to “protect” with accusations of “sabotage”.
What about a solution? One way would be by responsively addressing feedback, after duly presenting the draft to the people and other organs of government.
It must be noted and clear that ownership of the document belongs to the citizens, even if, at first glance it appears to be the purview of the RC. The individuals who happen to be at the RC at any time will come and go. Being in the RC does not elevate anyone to a status of infallibility! Instead, Councillors would benefit from being responsive to the aspirations and views of their constituents.
Find the complete Modalities here or look at the critique of section 2
Ambazonia News Briefs 