SRP reports campaigning irregularities in Phsar Kandal market

Phnom Penh, March 21, 2007

SRP CALLS EVICTION OF ITS CANDIDATE POLITICAL DISCRIMINATION AND THREAT

Mr. Im Sokhun a SRP candidate for Psar Kandal commune, in Phnom Penh was evicted from the room in the market security office. Mr. Im Sokhuntea has used this room as his shelter since 1994. This eviction took place after the candidate led a team of SRP activists to campaign inside the market on March 19th, the third day of the official campaign period.

Ly Saravuth, deputy security chief of Psar Kandal market refused to accept intervention from Ho Van, MP to allow Mr. Im Sokhunthea to temporarily remain in the same room until he can find a new shelter. Mr. Im Sokhun has now set a tent outside of the market and will remain at this location until he is able to secure a new shelter.

SRP condemns such act motivated by political discrimination as inhumane and calls on the autorities in charge the market to provide security and protection to Mr. Im Sokhuntea while he remains outside the market.

Mr. Im Sokhunthea is officially recognized by the National Election Committee as a candidate for SRP for Psar Kandal commune.

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VOA Tuesday's News Briefs from Cambodia

Reaksmey Heng
VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
20/03/2007

The Cambodia Teachers Independent Union has appealed to the Ministry of Education for the return of voter cards to older students, who, the union says, had them confiscated by school administrators. In Cambodia, many students are old enough to vote, but they cannot do so without voter cards. Education Minister Kol Pheng could not be reached for comment.

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The Ministry of Information is pushing for a newspaper facing a lawsuit from former King Norodom Sihanouk to publish a letter dismissing an allegedly slanderous article. Last week, the Sralanh Khmer newspaper published an article disparaging the king and former Queen Norodom Monineath, and the king has indicated he plans to sue. Editor Thach Keth said he would publish the letter Wednesday.

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Former Phnom Penh police chief Heng Pov is scheduled for a court hearing Wednesday to face extortion charges, after spending nearly two months in Prey Sar prison on criminal charges. Heng Pov was extradited from Malaysia in February on charges related to the murder of a judge and the attempted killing of a military police commander. Since his incarceration, Heng Pov has written a nine-page letter that links the government to a 1997 grenade attack in the capital and the 1999 murder of singer Piseth Pilika.

Campaigning Proceeds, With Small Snafus

Khemara Sok and Veasna Mean
VOA Khmer
Washington
20/03/2007

Minor campaign irregularities continued nationwide Tuesday, but authorities say these incidents are the exception, not the rule, and upcoming elections will not be interrupted.

"Security protection in the election is good in general," National Police Chief Sok Phal told VOA Tuesday. "For instance, shooting, killing, physical attacks and loudspeaker attacks on each other have not occurred."

Election committee workers at the commune level can solve these problems, Sok Phal said.

Nearly 8 million Cambodians are preparing to vote for local leaders in all of the country's 1,621 communes April 1, in elections aimed at decentralizing government power. Thousands on thousands of commune council candidates from 12 different parties have been stumping for votes since March 16.

Kuol Panha, executive director of the independent Committee for Free and Fair Elections, said that while there were reports of irregularities, the elections weren't likely to be damaged as a result.

Still, "people who intimidate political activists should be punished," he said.

Officials from several parties told VOA Tuesday their activists had experienced intimidation.

Cambodian People's Party supporters in Pailin allegedly attacked Sam Rainsy Party members.

Villagers in Battambang province claim land they recently resettled on was sold out from under them by unscrupulous officials and have asked Prime Minister Hun Sen to help them vote for change. They are not registered for that area, however, and election officials say there is little that can be done for this election.

In Oddar Meanchey, Norodom Ranariddh Party officials say CPP supporters are using government vehicles to help them campaign.

Meanwhile, campaigning continues, and in the capital Tuesday Sam Rainsy Party activists appealed to workers to join them on voting day.

"I appeal to workers to make sacrifices with their time and money to return to their villages and vote there," Sam Rainsy said. "The election is important and useful. We decide our own destinies."