Serious Business Begins!

In what hitherto looked like an expensive joke on a rather highly coveted office, judging from the number and calibre of aspirants who showed up at ELECAM to submit candidacy files, the take-off line is increasingly becoming clearer for the October 12, 2025 Presidential polls. The much-awaited arbitration from the Electoral Board of ELECAM to separate the good from the bad and even ugly grains came Saturday July 26, 2025 with the unveiling of the list of candidates.
That 13 candidates were retained from an unprecedented list of 83 postulants tells of the somewhat interest Cameroonians are seen to be showing the highest office of the land. While some school of thought sees this newfound enthusiasm as a sign of democratic vitality, others cannot help but lament on what looks like disdain on a position that is normally supposed to attract the best brains, judging from the challenging task of heading a country like Cameroon. 
Even as eyes are still focused on the Constitutional Council to rule on petitions that could come from rejected Presidential hopefuls or their political parties, potential voters at least now have an idea of who could be who in the upcoming polls. To say the least, the Electoral Board has separated the grains from the chaffs. Those who thought the race to the Presidency was an avenue for them to gain cheap popularity apparently harvested disgrace as most of them showed proof of ignorance of the Electoral Code, which normally should be the bible of every political aspirant. If not, how can one explain the fact that someone who aspires to rule Cameroon will be going to ELECAM after the convening of the electorate to get the conditions for eligibility. What even about those who looked too shabby or could barely express themselves in the languages that are said to be their first. It was indeed a joke!   
Now that those who wholly fulfilled the eligibility criteria have been picked from the pack, while waiting for some others to join should they convince the Constitutional Council with facts and get reintegrated, electors are now focused on them to hear what they have to make their tomorrow better than yesterday and today. It is therefore time for serious business to begin for all stakeholders in the election chain. The road to October 12 is still long and there should be no room for error. The Presidency is a coveted position and must be taken as such.
The independent election management body, ELECAM, will as well swing into full action in getting the electoral material ready and present at the different polling stations. The printing of campaign materials and others would also hit the ground running, at least for the 13 candidates while waiting for any...