VOA Khmer
Washington
13/03/2007
Cambodian democracy would benefit from head-to-head debates as the country heads toward general elections next year, leading party activists told VOA Monday.
Public debates would allow candidates to showcase their platforms for voters, strengthening the democratic process, Mu Sochua, secretary-general for the Sam Rainsy Party said by phone from Phnom Penh.
Debates are a hallmark of democratic countries, such as those televised debates among presidential candidates in the United States, Pok Than vice secretary-general for the newly formed Norodom Ranariddh Party said.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said he personally agrees with debates. It's important for party leaders to explain their positions to voters, he said, but he was waiting to see a formal request from the Sam Rainsy Party before he would decide what to do.
Information on parties' agendas is especially useful for voters, but the challenge is to convince every leader to participate in debates, Jerome Cheung, Cambodia director of the National Democratic Institute, told VOA. However, he said, not all parties are likely to agree because not all of them would come out looking good in a debate.
Cambodia is heading into local elections next month, where leaders for each of the country's 1,621 communes will be chosen. National leaders will be chosen next year.
Public debates would allow candidates to showcase their platforms for voters, strengthening the democratic process, Mu Sochua, secretary-general for the Sam Rainsy Party said by phone from Phnom Penh.
Debates are a hallmark of democratic countries, such as those televised debates among presidential candidates in the United States, Pok Than vice secretary-general for the newly formed Norodom Ranariddh Party said.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said he personally agrees with debates. It's important for party leaders to explain their positions to voters, he said, but he was waiting to see a formal request from the Sam Rainsy Party before he would decide what to do.
Information on parties' agendas is especially useful for voters, but the challenge is to convince every leader to participate in debates, Jerome Cheung, Cambodia director of the National Democratic Institute, told VOA. However, he said, not all parties are likely to agree because not all of them would come out looking good in a debate.
Cambodia is heading into local elections next month, where leaders for each of the country's 1,621 communes will be chosen. National leaders will be chosen next year.
4 comments:
Wow...I can't wait to see this action take place in Cambodia. Cambodia really move quickly to democracy. That will made my day.
Bati
The political debate of Cambodian leadership face to face before the election day would be a great ideas for our khmers people to see those PM candidates will address their point of views and thier concerns about how to shape-up the future of the Khmer nation.
That way, we could vote for a skillful candidate whom will be the next PM for Cambodian in the year 2008 election.
Well, if you're looking for
skillful people, I say CPP all
the way. The SRP (Super Retarded
Party) only got lip-service. The
Royalists, forget about it, they
are too busy fighting each other;
leave them alone, LOL.
Dear Anon 9:50;
I could not agree more about the CPP--yes! of coure they have their own style to lead but in a gang way possibly and not a great one which Cambodians are looking for.
They need to change their behave and must learn how to address the real issue that Khmer peoples are facing now-aday such as; The corruptions,immegration problem, border treaties,and the land grabbers whom are high rank officer in the Cambodia gov-ment.
This is just a few sample for you to reconsider before your act. May be a capable man who he's skillful in leadership in another party you should joint hand with. I couldn't provide his name, but you will see his actions if you are in Cambodia.
All the way in at one direction is a trap for me and thanks for your view.
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