Bizarre Incident In Cameroon Election: Mohamed Salah’s Image Featured On Voter Registration List, Prompting Outrage And Laughter
By Oludare Joshua
In a strange twist during Cameroon’s presidential election on Sunday, the image of Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah appeared on the official voter register, stirring both outrage and amusement among the electorate and observers.
Unprecedented Appearance of Football Star on Voter List
At a polling station in Ngaoundéré III, northern Cameroon, election monitors were taken aback to find Salah’s photo listed among registered voters. This shocking discovery rapidly spread online, as journalists shared screenshots showcasing the Liverpool forward’s likeness on the official database of ELECAM, the electoral body responsible for overseeing the country’s elections.
Multiple media outlets, along with international fact-checkers, confirmed the presence of Salah’s image on ELECAM’s website. As of yet, no official response has been provided, but social media users have flooded platforms with memes and humorous comments, labeling the incident as “another African election moment.”
Public Reaction and Concerns Over Election Integrity
The amusing yet troubling incident has reignited discussions surrounding the reliability of Cameroon’s voter registry. Critics argue that having a globally renowned footballer — who is neither a Cameroonian citizen nor a resident of the country — on the electoral list highlights potential manipulation and inaccuracies within the electoral system.
“It’s laughable but also deeply concerning,” remarked an observer in Yaoundé. “If Mohamed Salah can appear on the voter list, what does that say about the credibility of our electoral process?”
Vote Counting and Calls for Investigation
As counting commenced on Sunday evening after the presidential election, incumbent Paul Biya, at 92 years old, is expected to continue his 43-year tenure in office. Reports indicated mixed voter turnout across various regions, coupled with tight security and delays in the distribution of voting materials, particularly in the Anglophone northwest.
While ELECAM has yet to release preliminary election figures, opposition leaders are calling for an independent review of the electoral register, citing the Salah incident as evidence of systemic flaws and raising further questions about the integrity of the election process.
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By Queen Madaki | The Bureau News
