Wrath from the Gods' : traditional institutions and electoral politics in Bali

Abstract

This paper examines the 2013 municipal elections in Bali subdivision, North West Cameroon. The ethnography utilises participant observation, semi-structured interviews, document analyses and so forth to unearth strategies employed by the CPDM and SDF parties to retain and/or regain Bali Council. The CPDM, in collusion with traditional authorities, was accused of utilising a sacred cult 'Voma' to intimidate voters. The SDF was accused of importing witchdoctors from Nigeria and Pygmies from East Cameroon to cast magical spells on the population, to make the people vote for it. The CPDM won a landslide, but struggled to dispel rumours about the impact and consequences of Voma.