Bishop Paul Lontsié-Keuné
Bishop Paul Lontsié-Keuné of the Catholic Diocese of Bafoussam in Cameroon has urged all stakeholders in the country’s October 12 presidential election to “respect the truth of the ballots,” stressing that the dignity of citizens is upheld only when their votes are recognized and honored.
In a statement delivered on Sunday, October 19, Bishop Lontsié-Keuné noted that on October 12, Cameroonians had heeded earlier calls from members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) to register, to fulfill their civic duty by voting, and to monitor their votes – and that neglecting this responsibility could amount to “sin by omission.”
“At the end of the voting day on October 12, it was clear that many Cameroonians followed these instructions, allowing everyone to know the results of their polling stations and ensure their vote was properly recorded,” the Cameroonian Catholic Bishop said.
He added, “According to consistent reports received since October 12, many citizens have displayed unparalleled moral integrity, refusing to be complicit in electoral fraud—such as ballot stuffing or falsifying voting records.”
“I call on all actors in the electoral process, particularly at this moment, and on the candidates in the October 12 election, to act conscientiously and respect the truth of the ballots. The law must prevail, and it must apply to everyone,” Bishop Lontsié-Keuné said.
He continued, “Today, the central issue is the truth of the ballots—the truth that the people of Cameroon continue to demand. The civic commitment shown by voters, from registering to casting their historic votes on October 12, is a powerful expression of their God-given dignity—a dignity that the Church has always proclaimed, upheld, and defended in every time and place.”
The Catholic Church leader noted that “when the will of citizens is deliberately trampled out of selfishness, it constitutes a grave violation of this dignity. Ignoring the vote of each citizen would deny them their fundamental right to freely express their will within the democratic framework provided by law. It would deny citizens the right to see their intentions recognized by competent authorities.”
Violence has been reported in some cities in the central African nation following the October 12 poll.
In the country’s commercial capital, Douala, angry demonstrators accused authorities of electoral fraud in the October 12 vote.
Clips shared by local outlets on various social media platforms depict demonstrators alleging that officials tampered with the ballot tally to secure an advantage for Cameroon’s long-serving president, Paul Biya.