Opinion
by
The Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia
by
The Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The new voter registration system, instead of closing avenues of abuse and voting irregularity, can have the contradictory effect of opening the potential for intimidation, manipulation, neglect and the misuse of power. Potential voters are in a double bind: In order to vote they must confirm their identities; in order to confirm their identities they may be left vulnerable to intimidation and harassment.
Cambodia's 2007-08 election results are being determined now. Alarm bells should be ringing.
A new registration process has been planned. Moreover, vote cards used for previous elections have been declared invalid. This wholesale change was prompted by a sincere desire to redress the documented flaws of the past. One must be certain that the cure will not further weaken the patient.
The burdens of this new registration process are borne unfairly by the voters and create an untenable environment for the opposition. The new registration process is being financed by donor nations.
On Aug 1, 2006, the National Election Commission was scheduled to begin the distribution of voting information cards. Potential voters after reviewing the information provided on the cards will have from Oct 1 until Oct 20, 2006, to make any necessary changes and give the card back to the commune clerk. If there are no changes that need to be made then they do not have to do anything. The information on the cards will be used to compile voter rolls and assign polling stations.
The task of providing new voting information card to every potential voter and ensuring that the information on the card is correct is a massive undertaking. The government of course must ensure that there is a fair, clear and simple registration process. The government must do its best to clean up voter registration rolls and establish voter identification. This can only be done through repeated dialogue and confidence-building measures.
Voter education, especially when there are procedural changes, must be strengthened. So far, the state media has done nothing to inform or educate voters on this new process.
The blurring of lines among village chiefs, election authorities and the state apparatus makes the distributing of cards and the checking of information problematic.
The new registration system, instead of closing avenues of abuse and voting irregularity, can have the contradictory effect of opening the potential for intimidation, manipulation, neglect and the misuse of power.
Administrative harassment can be strengthened through this paper-chase process.
Potential voters are in a double bind: In order to vote they must confirm their identities; in order to confirm their identities they may be left vulnerable to intimidation and harassment. Confirming and reconfirming that the voter registration card is accurate also puts an unfair time and financial burden on many potential voters.
To give voters only a 20-day period to submit changes on the voter information card is extraordinarily short.
On a very positive note, sanctions have been carefully provided. It is hoped that the rules will be enforced.
Early indications point to the possibility that the very first part of this process, the issuing of the new voter registration cards, is not being carried out in a timely manner.
Millions of voters may be deprived of their voting rights if this new registration system is not carried out in a fair, equitable and professional manner.
As far as the critical issue of voter registration is concerned, an early course correction will steer the commune election to a safe as well as a free and fair conclusion. Then the commune election of 2007 can turn into a proud day for all Cambodians.
Paul Scott
The Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia, Japan
Cambodia's 2007-08 election results are being determined now. Alarm bells should be ringing.
A new registration process has been planned. Moreover, vote cards used for previous elections have been declared invalid. This wholesale change was prompted by a sincere desire to redress the documented flaws of the past. One must be certain that the cure will not further weaken the patient.
The burdens of this new registration process are borne unfairly by the voters and create an untenable environment for the opposition. The new registration process is being financed by donor nations.
On Aug 1, 2006, the National Election Commission was scheduled to begin the distribution of voting information cards. Potential voters after reviewing the information provided on the cards will have from Oct 1 until Oct 20, 2006, to make any necessary changes and give the card back to the commune clerk. If there are no changes that need to be made then they do not have to do anything. The information on the cards will be used to compile voter rolls and assign polling stations.
The task of providing new voting information card to every potential voter and ensuring that the information on the card is correct is a massive undertaking. The government of course must ensure that there is a fair, clear and simple registration process. The government must do its best to clean up voter registration rolls and establish voter identification. This can only be done through repeated dialogue and confidence-building measures.
Voter education, especially when there are procedural changes, must be strengthened. So far, the state media has done nothing to inform or educate voters on this new process.
The blurring of lines among village chiefs, election authorities and the state apparatus makes the distributing of cards and the checking of information problematic.
The new registration system, instead of closing avenues of abuse and voting irregularity, can have the contradictory effect of opening the potential for intimidation, manipulation, neglect and the misuse of power.
Administrative harassment can be strengthened through this paper-chase process.
Potential voters are in a double bind: In order to vote they must confirm their identities; in order to confirm their identities they may be left vulnerable to intimidation and harassment. Confirming and reconfirming that the voter registration card is accurate also puts an unfair time and financial burden on many potential voters.
To give voters only a 20-day period to submit changes on the voter information card is extraordinarily short.
On a very positive note, sanctions have been carefully provided. It is hoped that the rules will be enforced.
Early indications point to the possibility that the very first part of this process, the issuing of the new voter registration cards, is not being carried out in a timely manner.
Millions of voters may be deprived of their voting rights if this new registration system is not carried out in a fair, equitable and professional manner.
As far as the critical issue of voter registration is concerned, an early course correction will steer the commune election to a safe as well as a free and fair conclusion. Then the commune election of 2007 can turn into a proud day for all Cambodians.
Paul Scott
The Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia, Japan
1 comment:
Solve the issues of voter registration process now before AH HUN SEN take power again in 2008!
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