Cameroonian gov't seeks to extend mandate of legislature for a year

The Cameroonian government on Saturday submitted to parliament a draft bill aimed at extending the mandate for the country's lawmakers for a year.

The bill, which concerns lawmakers of the National Assembly or the lower house of the parliament, seeks to extend the term of office to March 30, 2026 from March 10, 2025, according to a statement.

The statement said the extension seeks "to lighten the electoral calendar," which includes presidential, parliamentary, municipal and regional council elections in the Central African country next year.

"In this regard, and apart from the election of regional councilors, the other elections, which involve direct voting, require the deployment of substantial human, material and financial resources. Accordingly, it is judicious to spread the above-mentioned elections over the years 2025 and 2026, so as to ensure better organization," it added.