Touch Yuthear
The Mekong Times
The International Republican Institute (IRI) predicted in a recent survey that this year’s July 27 national election will see a 75 percent turnout of Cambodia’s 8 million voters, a figure which has been confirmed by political observers.
The IRI is a US government funded political organization staffed mainly by members of the Republican Party.
The survey, which questioned 2,000 Cambodian voters, found 22 percent of respondents were undecided if they would have voted if polling was taking place the day they were interviewed. Two percent said it was unlikely, and one percent said they definitely would not have.
Hang Puthea, executive director of electoral watchdog the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (NICFEC) said the survey’s findings are in line with the data gathered by his own organization.
But Hang Puthea raised concerns the IRI survey may not meet international standards. “Surveys conducted in developed and stable countries seem to have more reliable results… The survey will be less correct than in more developed countries,” he said.
Though the recent IRI survey did not cover which party voters will choose, Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday erroneously claimed the organization had predicted a resounding victory for his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
“IRI said that about 50 percent of surveyed people will vote for the CPP and 25 percent may vote for the CPP,” he said yesterday at a meeting of the Cambodian Development Council, adding that from the 25 percent he claims are undecided he hopes to claim some 10 percent, meaning his party would easily win the election.
But the prime minister also criticized the survey’s accuracy. “IRI conducted the survey on a number of people who it had selected. I don’t think all the surveyed citizens have their names in the election list,” he said.
Tep Nytha, deputy secretary general of the National Election Committee (NEC), said the IRI’s data was valuable. “We welcome all surveys, but I would like to remind any such groups that surveys are banned within 5 days of election day,” he added.
He said that the turnout for the nation’s first elections in 1993 was around 89 percent, in the 1998 election 93 percent and in the 2003 election 83 percent. Turnout for last year’s commune elections was much lower, at just 68 percent.
The IRI is a US government funded political organization staffed mainly by members of the Republican Party.
The survey, which questioned 2,000 Cambodian voters, found 22 percent of respondents were undecided if they would have voted if polling was taking place the day they were interviewed. Two percent said it was unlikely, and one percent said they definitely would not have.
Hang Puthea, executive director of electoral watchdog the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (NICFEC) said the survey’s findings are in line with the data gathered by his own organization.
But Hang Puthea raised concerns the IRI survey may not meet international standards. “Surveys conducted in developed and stable countries seem to have more reliable results… The survey will be less correct than in more developed countries,” he said.
Though the recent IRI survey did not cover which party voters will choose, Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday erroneously claimed the organization had predicted a resounding victory for his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
“IRI said that about 50 percent of surveyed people will vote for the CPP and 25 percent may vote for the CPP,” he said yesterday at a meeting of the Cambodian Development Council, adding that from the 25 percent he claims are undecided he hopes to claim some 10 percent, meaning his party would easily win the election.
But the prime minister also criticized the survey’s accuracy. “IRI conducted the survey on a number of people who it had selected. I don’t think all the surveyed citizens have their names in the election list,” he said.
Tep Nytha, deputy secretary general of the National Election Committee (NEC), said the IRI’s data was valuable. “We welcome all surveys, but I would like to remind any such groups that surveys are banned within 5 days of election day,” he added.
He said that the turnout for the nation’s first elections in 1993 was around 89 percent, in the 1998 election 93 percent and in the 2003 election 83 percent. Turnout for last year’s commune elections was much lower, at just 68 percent.
4 comments:
That is correct. Had the survey done to International standard, the outcome should show at least 90% of the people will vote for the CPP.
Hey, nothing is perfect. 77% is still more than good enough. The US president don't even got anything close to that.
Anyone care to explain this sentence - “Surveys conducted in developed and stable countries seem to have more reliable results… The survey will be less correct than in more developed countries.
What is the different from developed and more developed country?
Or
Mr. Hang would like to say - “Surveys conducted in an industrial, developed and stable countries seem to have more reliable results… Then survey will be less acuurate than in less developed countries?
Good lord! what is happened here?
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But Hang Puthea raised concerns the IRI survey may not meet international standards.
Would appreciate if Mr. Hang can explain what is International Standar?
IRI is always and will continue its support for SRP as the chairman is said and claimed by SR is an astute support of him for the quest of leadership in Cambodia.
Why Mr. Hang is now question the organization whether the organization is up to international standard?
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they say this maybe because the institution is bias and not diverse enough to represent all political platform.
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