Youth denied their constitutional rights in Phnom Penh

Register to Vote: Newsletter Two

Monday 12 September 2011

Youth denied their constitutional rights in Phnom Penh

Every capable Cambodian citizen 18 years or older has the right to vote in elections. This is ensured in our constitution.

However, Cambodian youth have a challenge when taking voter registration information door-to-door to their peers, in the city of Phnom Penh on the 2nd week of the registration period. Local commune chiefs, district officials trailed by police prevented the youth and Mu Sochua of the Sam Rainsy party, an elected MP from providing information to voters, accusing them of unlawful activities and disturbing peace and security in the commune.

SRP youth president Soung Sophoan handing out voter information cards at the pagoda.

Sophoan and MP Mu Sochua confronted by local authorities minutes later for their actions.

Voter information cards were snatched and confiscated by the local authorities who went door to door, creating an atmosphere of fear. Such a violation of voters' rights, including right to information and political rights is part of the fear tactics of the ruling party through the use of local officials.

The Cambodia Daily newspaper reported on the 13th September 2011, “There were almost as many authorities as SRP members, which came in handy when the information card distribution began because it meant the authorities could grab back the cards as quickly as they were distributed to the public”.

A fan?  No, a member of the local authority taking pictures in an act of intimidation and harassment. He was part of the authority convoy trailing the party youth.

Voter registration is the first step to guaranty protection of voters' right to vote. The EU Electoral Observation Mission noted in its 2008 general election report that 19 per cent of polling stations reported voters complaints due to errors on the register on election-day. Domestic observers concurred with this finding, stating in their reports that incorrect voter registration was one of the key problems of the 2008 election process.

The Sam Rainsy Party is taking no chances by waiting for electoral reforms to take place. During the 45-day registration period, the SRP youth and all the party machinery is being used nationwide to ensure that the newly illegible voters have their right to vote.

The youth will not be intimidated and they continue to exercise their constitutional right to hand out the voter information cards

Training youth to go door-to-door is a must and a good exercise to train our youth to enter the field of politics and to defend our people's political rights. Any form of threat and intimidation must be stopped in order to ensure free and fair elections.

Another 28 days to go!