SRP tries to counter manipulation of voter lists

October 18, 2006

SRP TRIES TO COUNTER MANIPULATION OF VOTER LISTS

More and more complaints are being lodged by the opposition Sam Rainsy Party against CPP-affiliated commune and elections officials who violate election laws and procedures in their attempt to manipulate voter lists. For the last days of the voter registration period, the two most serious issues are:

1. Organized shortage of administrative forms (# 1018 and # 1022), which stalls the registration process even though the registration period has been extended from October 20 to 24.
2. Administrative harassment against some segments of the population who are denied certificates of residence that are required for registration (factory workers, migrant workers, Buddhist monks and students from the provinces now living in Phnom Penh, displaced persons, victims of land grabs and evictions).

The counter-measures are detailed in Khmer here.

The legal complaints are listed here.

SRP Members of Parliament

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KI-Media note:

The following is a list of the measures advocated by SRP to counter the manipulation of voter lists:

1. Publish vote registration information and encourage people to register to vote,
2. Ensure that forms 1018 and 1022 are available for people to register to vote and help them fill the forms as necessary,
3. Post at least 2 party activists in each vote registration offices. These activists must have their Cambodian ID with them at all time during their posting so they can act as witnesses for other people who come to register to vote, if necessary.
4. Alert the party of any problems encountered. For serious problems or violations, they should contact directly Voice of Ameria reporter Heng Rasmey, or Radio Free Asia reporter Phan Sophat. If need be, they should ask communce councilors or secretaries to call and ask for clarifications from the NEC Som Chandina and Mao Sophearith,
5. If registration office clerks or councilors are not abiding by the law, or the NEC rules, fill in a complaint form 1022 and fax it to SRP headquarters,
6. In tense situation, take picture of the person(s) who are perpetrating the illegal act, or videotape their actions as a proof to the complaint.