Renowned lawyer, Ntumfon Barrister Ndangoh Tarh Calvin has urged religious authorities to join ongoing efforts to boost voter registration throughout Cameroon.
His call is contained in a recent release which the man of law and supporter of the opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF, issued over the weekend.
Buttressing the need for Christians to be part of the decision-making process in the country, Barrister Ndongoh Tah stressed that the clergy should school Christians on the importance of registering on the electoral register and participating during elections.
“I will like to draw the attention of pastors on the necessity to evangelise on political engagement of Christians. The Clergy should do more to educate Christians on their political rights and awaken their political consciousness,” he wrote, adding that: “I think it is there is a need for pastors to set aside a special day for Christians to register on the electoral register”.
At a time when Christians are crying for change, Barrister Ndongoh Tah exhorted the men of God to leave the back seat and be active in effecting change that is highly needed.
“A Christian does not only wish, he engages for things to change. Christianity that does not lead to active citizenship is questionable,” he stated, adding that:” Christianity that does not lead us to be good citizens is false. We should not only encourage them to have church membership cards but they should have voters’ cards and pastors themselves should show the good example by registering on the electoral register.”
Against the backdrop of the unwillingness of Cameroonians to register on the electoral register and participate in the political process in the country, Barrister Ndangoh’s call is an eye-opener.
With over 10 million citizens who are said to have attained voting age and only 3 million potential voters on the electoral register, there is a need for Cameroonians to wake up and register on the electoral register rather than complain when they don’t take part in voting the leaders whose agenda aligns with their aspirations.
