YAOUNDE, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon's electoral body Elections Cameroon (Elecam) on Wednesday reassured of increased security following threats by armed separatists to disrupt Senate elections in the two Anglophone regions of the country where an armed separatist conflict is in progress.
The elections of the Upper House of the Parliament, or the Senate, will be held on March 12 but separatists have issued a statement on social media, warning municipal councilors who are the major actors in the elections, to boycott the polls or be "arrested and kept in custody or eliminated."
"I can assure the population of Cameroon that all will take place in smooth conditions in the regions. The population is committed and they really want peace. Meetings in the regions have clearly showed that everyone is ready," Chairperson of Elecam Enow Abrams Egbe told reporters during a meeting held in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, to review final preparations for the elections.
"Elections Cameroon is very ready. All the stakeholders must be activated and oriented towards the success of the election, so as to ensure the inclusion, transparency, regularity and sincerity of the ballot," he added.
Cameroon held its first Senate elections in 2013 after a 1996 constitutional amendment ushered in the Upper House of the Parliament. ■