Delay in Replacement of Dead Legislators:
A Disservice to Constituents

Cameroon, currently with a population of about 24 million, has a bicameral legislature (Parliament), consisting of the 180-member National Assembly (Lower House) and the 100-member Senate (Upper House).  

This means that Cameroon is supposed to have, in all, two hundred and eighty (280) legislators, representatives of the people. But this has not been the case for some time now, following the death of several senators like Achidi Achu and Nfon V E.Mukete – and nine Members of the National Assembly including Hon.Emilia Lifaka(former Deputy Speaker) without their replacement as required by law.  

This undue delay in the replacement of dead legislators leaves their constituents feeling orphaned and un-represented in both the National Assembly and Senate. The role of Parliament is to legislate and control Government action (or inaction) and just the absence of one vote in a decision-making process can be politically dangerous in a democracy.  

According to the country’s constitution, “Both Houses of Parliament shall meet on the same dates:(a) in Ordinary session during the months of June, November and March each year, when convened by the Bureaux of the National Assembly and the Senate after consultation with the President of the Republic;(b) in extraordinary session, at the request of the President of the Republic or of one-third of the members of both Houses.”  

However, the two Houses shall be convened simultaneously only if the business of the day concerns both of them. The Constitution does not allow a person to be member of both the National Assembly and the Senate, making the replacement of even a dead legislator a matter of urgency, so as to ensure the representativeness of all constituencies in both houses.  

Just imagine the vacuum created in legislation by the absence of several lawmakers! Election into the National Assembly is by “direct and secret universal suffrage for a five-year term of office”. The constitution states, “Each member of the National Assembly shall represent the entire Nation.” But it leaves many pundits in doubt how, for example, an MP from the North of Cameroon can effectively articulate and defend the interests of say Buea Rural constituency, whose MP, Hon Emilila Lifaka, died several months ago.  

The Senate represents regional and local authorities and each of Cameroon’s regions is represented in the Senate by 10 (ten) Senators of whom 7 (seven) are “elected by indirect universal suffrage on a regional basis and 3 (three) appointed by the President of the Republic.”

Senators just like embers of the National Assembly serve a five-year term, renewable. Both the Senate and National Assembly pass laws by a simple majority. The Constitution empowers the President of the Republic to enact laws passed by Parliament within 15 (fifteen) days of their being forwarded to him unless he requests a second reading or refers the matter to the Constitutional Council.  

But Article 31 (2) adds: “Upon the expiry of this deadline, and after establishing the failure of the President of the Republic to act, the President of the National Assembly may himself enact the law.” Article 35(1) state that “Parliament shall control Government action through oral or written questions and by setting up committees of inquiry with specific terms of reference.”  

VACANCY IN PARLIAMENT  

According to Cameroon Electoral Code ( Section 154): “ After [ the election of Members of the National Assembly ] and in all cases of vacancy other than the death of the substantive member, the alternate shall take the seat of the Member of Parliament at the National Assembly until the expiry of the latter’s term.  

Section 155 of same code says,“(1) Where one or more seats become vacant in a constituency either because of the death, resignation of the substantive or alternate member, or for any other reason, byelections shall be held within a period of 12 (twelve) months following the occurrence of the vacancy. Section 155(5) states, “(5) No by-election shall be held if the vacancy occurs less than a year before the end of the legislative period.”  

Deceased MP’s of the 10th Legislature (2020-2025)  

1. Hon. Harouna Abdoulaye Bougue. RDPC, Mayo Louti
2. Hon. Saraou Bernadette, RDPC, Mayo Kani Nord
3. Hon. Yakouba Yaya, RDPC, Mayo Sawa
4. Hon. Djibrilla Kaou, RDPC, Mayo Tsanaga
5. Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, RDPC, Fako Rural
6. Hon. Marinette Yetna, RDPC, Sanaga Maritime
7. Hon. Isaac Ngahane, RDPC, Wouri Est
8. Hon. Prince Mikody RDPC, Boumba et Ngoko
9. Hon. Ngaba Zogo Salomé, RDPC, Lekie

Does this long list of deceased people’s representatives not call for urgent action to replace them? Something should be done and urgently to ensure that the National Assembly plays its full role effectively to control government action through its representatives