14 March 2007
By Sav Yuth
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
The distributions of gifts by government officials and oknhas (rich businessmen) who are supporting the CPP in order to obtain vote during the upcoming commune election have been reported in many areas. These distributions are held ahead of the election campaign schedule.
Villagers in Tong Trolach commune, Srey Santhor district, Kompong Cham province told RFA that some oknhas distributed sarong (wraparound skirts), kroma (towels), and money to villagers as they were advertising for the CPP. The villagers said: “The distribution of gifts in Tong Trolach commune was done by Oknha Lao Heung. He came to distribute kormas and money. He distributed while advertising for us to vote for the CPP. He pointed out only his party.”
Nevertheless, Meang Meng Huot, the director of the Kompong Cham province election committee, said that he was not aware of this distribution, and if the distribution actually took place, it’s not against the law because it’s ahead of the date set for the election campaign to start.
Kul Panha, Comfrel NGO director, said that the distribution of gifts to advertise and attract votes is happening in almost all provinces in Cambodia. This is against the integrity rule of political parties, and they should not do that.
Kul Panha said: “It’s not against any law, but it is against the integrity of political parties. Near the election, they use money to buy, but they claim they give it to the people. This is against a normal election campaign, if this situation will continue during the actual election campaign, we will complain to the National Election Committee.”
Villagers in Tong Trolach commune, Srey Santhor district, Kompong Cham province told RFA that some oknhas distributed sarong (wraparound skirts), kroma (towels), and money to villagers as they were advertising for the CPP. The villagers said: “The distribution of gifts in Tong Trolach commune was done by Oknha Lao Heung. He came to distribute kormas and money. He distributed while advertising for us to vote for the CPP. He pointed out only his party.”
Nevertheless, Meang Meng Huot, the director of the Kompong Cham province election committee, said that he was not aware of this distribution, and if the distribution actually took place, it’s not against the law because it’s ahead of the date set for the election campaign to start.
Kul Panha, Comfrel NGO director, said that the distribution of gifts to advertise and attract votes is happening in almost all provinces in Cambodia. This is against the integrity rule of political parties, and they should not do that.
Kul Panha said: “It’s not against any law, but it is against the integrity of political parties. Near the election, they use money to buy, but they claim they give it to the people. This is against a normal election campaign, if this situation will continue during the actual election campaign, we will complain to the National Election Committee.”
6 comments:
HOW STUPID CCP ARE?
Election spending is a big source of corruption. Any anti-corruption law should fix the amount of campaign finance for each party, each constituency and each candidate. Political parties accounts should be audited and accessible for the public.
However, deep down Cambodian society is a corrupt society. One would do anything to make money. Go to any market and buy anything that is sold by the weight. Many if mot all sellers would cheat on weight. One kilo is perhaps 800 grammes only.
A good and free society must have a strong and solid moral and ethical foundation, a set of core values and the rule of law. Alexis de Tocqueville, writing about democracy in America, said "there cannot be freedom without morality nor morality without faith [religion]."
LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong
Corruption is a way of life in Cambodia. It's in the blood.
How stupi SRP is?
If people like money give it to them what wrong buy or lie?
People,
Take the money and the gifts but just don't vote for CPP.
If you vote for CPP, you vote for corruption, land grabbing, land encroachment.
Vote for Sam Rainsy.
That is how ah Hun sen win votes...used $10 gift to the poors.
Where infact those should be reciving $10,000 as theie year income...which was chew by the CPP's offical through corruptions.
It sad to use money & cheap gifts to buy people vote...SRP dont cost the people any money the people vote for free.
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