The National Ruling Party and Candidate Selection in Primaries: A Case Study of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) in Mezam Constituency in Bamenda, North West Cameroon

Abstract

How and why do ruling parties fall short of sometimes respecting the formal patterns of candidate selection during primaries?  The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that explain selection processes during primaries in ruling parties. Using the example of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) party in power in Cameroon since 1985, it finds that formal rules and regulations may only be used when these are seen to serve the interest of the most powerful in the party. It is not uncommon for the most powerful, to try to influence the selection process and even do so at the expense of the formal rules of the game. They can and do negotiate amongst themselves on the choice of particular candidates in the primaries.  They also recommend candidates and coach them. Candidates too have tried to negotiate their way in primaries by seeking elite support. The consequence of this is that candidate selection is characterised by conflict and violence with serious implications for internal democracy, transparency and accountability in the management of ruling parties.