By Duong Sokha
Cambodge Soir
Unofficial Translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read Cambodge Soir’s original article in French
The National Election Committee (NEC) said that it is satisfied with the campaign for the April 1st commune election, which started one week ago.
Tep Nytha, the Secretary-General of the NEC, said that he is satisfied about the atmosphere in which the campaign for the April 1st commune election takes place starting last week. He noted a clear improvement from past elections. “There are some problems and they are under control,” Tep Nytha said during a press conference on Thursday. “We are not the only one to notice this, embassies and NGOs for election observations are also noticing the same thing.” As a proof to the improvement of the situation, the NEC authorized the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) to organize a procession to be participated by 3,000 party members on Thursday, March 29, in Phnom Penh. The day following the NRP procession, the CPP will then organize a procession of its own as well.
Muth Channtha, the NRP spokesman, is far from sharing the same opinion. He said that he noted 16 cases of serious intimidation towards NRP members, these cases took place in 10 cities and provinces, and he also criticizes “Equity News,” the NEC TV program, of removing one portion of the NRP’s message without informing him first.
The Sam Rainsy Party also denounces the threats made against its members in 8 provinces. The SRP calls on the provincial authorities to take “serious measures” against those who impede on the free unfolding of the campaign.
According to Tep Nytha, the commune election committee (CEC) had already rejected 13 complaints, while one case is about to be resolved, and four others led to investigation. Khlot Buthdy, a NEC member, claims that these are merely “minor verbal disputes.”
Tep Nytha, the Secretary-General of the NEC, said that he is satisfied about the atmosphere in which the campaign for the April 1st commune election takes place starting last week. He noted a clear improvement from past elections. “There are some problems and they are under control,” Tep Nytha said during a press conference on Thursday. “We are not the only one to notice this, embassies and NGOs for election observations are also noticing the same thing.” As a proof to the improvement of the situation, the NEC authorized the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) to organize a procession to be participated by 3,000 party members on Thursday, March 29, in Phnom Penh. The day following the NRP procession, the CPP will then organize a procession of its own as well.
Muth Channtha, the NRP spokesman, is far from sharing the same opinion. He said that he noted 16 cases of serious intimidation towards NRP members, these cases took place in 10 cities and provinces, and he also criticizes “Equity News,” the NEC TV program, of removing one portion of the NRP’s message without informing him first.
The Sam Rainsy Party also denounces the threats made against its members in 8 provinces. The SRP calls on the provincial authorities to take “serious measures” against those who impede on the free unfolding of the campaign.
According to Tep Nytha, the commune election committee (CEC) had already rejected 13 complaints, while one case is about to be resolved, and four others led to investigation. Khlot Buthdy, a NEC member, claims that these are merely “minor verbal disputes.”
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