Election better than 2003 but still short of int’l standards

Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Craig Guthrie
The Mekong Times

Although the campaign for last Sunday’s national election was more peaceful and technically better organized than the nation’s previous elections, it still fell short of a number of key international standards, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) said yesterday.

“As someone who was here in 2003, I feel that the election environment has improved a great deal,” said Glyn Ford, the EU mission representative from the European Parliament. “Nevertheless, there were some issues that caused concern.”

The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), which is widely believed to have routed the opposition in Sunday’s vote, exerts an unhealthy influence over the nation’s media and election administration said the mission at the launch of its preliminary statement on the campaign.

There is evidence of other dubious maneuvers by the CPP, such as a “consistent and widespread use of state resources [to campaign],” and defections from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) to the CPP which “would support the claim that funds or high government positions were offered,” said Martin Callanan, the EU EOM’s chief observer.

He said that the EU mission has witness statements which suggest that a pattern of defections of the SRP’s leadership and key activists to the CPP in return for funds, government positions or gifts may be part of “an organized campaign.”

The CPP dominated media coverage of the elections was not consistent with international standards on free and equal access to the media, said the mission.

The National Election Committee (NEC) proved its ability to organize technically good elections, but “all aspects of the election’s administration were dominated by the CPP,” he said, adding that village and commune chiefs, the majority of whom are CPP affiliated, would often “influence” voters’ decisions.

Some 50,000 previous registered voters, or 0.6 percent of the electorate, were mistakenly deleted from the voter list, and despite the NEC’s awareness of the fact it refused to restore their names and thus disenfranchised them, said the EU in its report.

The NEC also delegated tasks to local authorities which were known not to be impartial, said Callanan.

The EU monitors found evidence that the 1018 voter ID forms were being illegally distributed by CPP-aligned village chiefs to voters, despite the fact that their ID cards showed they had different identities, effectively allowing voters to either vote twice or ineligible voters to take part.

“This is a clear contravention of Cambodia’s Election Law,” Callanan said, adding that there is no way to know how widespread the practice was as there are no records of how many 1018 forms were issued.

The mission chief said that the “Cambodian People are to be congratulated for the peaceful and orderly way in which they turned out to vote … in a clear demonstration of their commitment to democracy.”

He added that it was the decision of the Cambodian people whether to accept or reject the results, and that the size of the CPP majority in comparison to the scale of the irregularities could render them ineffectual.

“The CPP clearly has a very large majority therefore any irregularities would have to be on a very large scale to invalidate the [election] result.”

Sam Rainsy, whose SRP has jointly rejected the election results with other major opposition parties, said at the report’s launch that he was satisfied with the EU’s findings and that there has been not yet been any concrete acceptance of the elections as “free and fair” by the international community.

“In a proportional representation system like ours a single vote can cost a seat, so though 50,000 voters in a voting population of 8 million may not sound a lot, it is actually very significant,” he said, adding that he hoped to deliver more evidence of irregularities to the EU monitors.

Callanan said that the request by the SRP and other opposition parties that the election be re-held will only be credible if they can produce sufficient evidence of large-scale irregularities, adding that the EU’s full report on the entire electoral process will be released in October.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia (OHCHR) also released a statement yesterday commending the election’s atmosphere for being “for the most part peaceful and free of violence.”

However, the OHCHR did observe “an apparent campaign of pressure, threats, intimidation and inducements directed against political activists at every level in an attempt to persuade them to change parties.”

International election monitors say Cambodia poll 'flawed'

EU monitors outside a polling station during Sunday's election. [Radio Australia]

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
ABC Radio Australia

International election monitors in Cambodia say despite improvements in processes the country's recent national election was flawed and did not meet key standards.

A preliminary report by 130 European Union election monitors the poll was marred by the ruling Cambodian People's Party domination of media coverage.

Also the improper deletion of people from registration lists so they could not vote, and other irregularities.

Martin Callanan, who led the EU observers says ultimately, it's up to the Cambodian people to accept or reject the results, adding that the EU will issue a more detailed report with recommendations in October.

He says the campaign was generally conducted in a more peaceful and open environment compared to previous elections.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted lower violence from previous elections but says it observed threats, intimidation and inducements directed against political activists to get them to change parties.

A partial count by Cambodian electoral authorities shows Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party won 59.6 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, compared with nearly 21 percent for the nearest rival, the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.

EU monitor says Cambodian election is biased

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Last weekend's Cambodian national elections failed to meet international standards because of biases in favor of the country's ruling party, the European Union said Tuesday.

The criticism came the day after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party claimed it had won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections. The results were expected to usher in a new term for the premier who has ruled the country for 23 years.

Martin Callanan, the head of an EU election monitoring team, said all aspects of organizing Sunday's polls were "dominated by the Cambodian People's Party," which allow "accusations of lack of impartiality to be made," he said.

Callanan said there was bias during the election campaigns, citing "a widespread use of state resources," including the use of government-registered vehicles by ruling party officials.

He also said the party dominated the media coverage "which was not consistent with international standard on free and equal access to the media."

But Callanan declined to characterize the election as unfair despite allegations of widespread vote rigging from smaller parties, including the main opposition Sam Rainsy Party. They have called on the international community to reject the results.

Tep Nitha, the election committee's secretary-general, declined to comment on the issue.

In a joint statement Monday, four small parties, including Sam Rainsy, said Hun Sen's party won through "illegal and fraudulent practices." They cited the National Election Committee's alleged removal of tens of thousands of legitimate voters from electoral lists to prevent them from casting ballots for other parties.

They also accused the electoral body of acting as "a tool for the CPP to organize a sham election and present a facade of democracy."

Khieu Kanharith, the spokesman of the ruling party, dismissed the allegations of fraud.

Callanan said his team will release its final findings on the election in October.

The CPP has claimed a landslide victory with up to 91 seats in the 123-seat National Assembly, which is the lower house of Parliament. Official results are expected in a few days.

Hun Sen has been at the center of Cambodian politics since 1985, when he became the world's youngest prime minister at age 33. He has held or shared the top job ever since, bullying and outfoxing his opponents to stay in power.

Sunday's voting was the fourth parliamentary election since the United Nations brokered a peace deal for the country in 1991, a process meant to end decades of civil unrest that included the 1975-79 genocidal reign of the Khmer Rouge.

Cambodia's poll 'did not meet key international standards'

PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Despite improvements in electoral processes, Cambodia's recent election was flawed and did not meet key standards, international monitors said Tuesday.

Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 59.6 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, compared with nearly 21 percent for the nearest rival, the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, according to a partial count by Cambodian electoral authorities.

But the poll was marred by the CPP's domination of media coverage, the improper deletion of people from registration lists so they could not vote, and other irregularities, said a preliminary report by 130 European Union election monitors.

"While the campaign was generally conducted in a more peaceful and open environment compared to previous elections, the 2008 National Assembly Elections have fallen short of a number of key international standards for democratic elections," said Martin Callanan, who led the EU observers.

"Ultimately, it's up to the Cambodian people to accept or reject the results," Callanan said, adding that the EU would issue a more detailed report with recommendations in October.

The Asian Network For Free Elections (ANFREL) called for an investigation and "a serious penalty" for manipulation of the vote.

"The election was maybe free, but not fair at all," said Somsri Hananuntasuk, head of ANFREL's election monitoring mission to Cambodia.

The main problem was people being deleted from voter lists, while there also needed to be limits on campaign financing and the ruling party's control of media, she said.

The EU calculated that 50,000 voters were left off rolls, but Callanan said that would not have greatly affected the election since early results show a large majority for the CPP.

"Any irregularities that were proved would clearly have to be on a very large scale in order to invalidate that result," he said.

However, the four minority parties rejected the outcome, accusing the CPP of fiddling with the voter rolls to ensure their victory.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy estimated that one million out of 8.1 million registered voters had been cut from the rolls. He said his party members observed 50 to 100 people at each of the country's 15,000 polling stations had been unable to vote.

"The large-scale irregularities here can change the result of the election. I'm disappointed that such a so-called expert could make such a mistake," Sam Rainsy told AFP Tuesday outside the EU's press conference.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted lower violence from previous elections but said in a Tuesday statement it had observed "threats, intimidation and inducements directed against political activists" to get them to change parties.

The CPP has claimed victory, saying it captured at least 90 of the 123 seats in parliament, giving them more than a two-thirds majority.

Local rights groups have expressed concern that if the CPP did secure a majority there would be fewer checks and balances in the country's fledgling democracy.

At 55, Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia for 23 years and has vowed to remain in power until he is 90. He had been widely tipped to win amid a booming economy and nationalist sentiment sparked by a border feud with Thailand.

Monitors say Cambodia election 'flawed'

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
ABC Radio Australia

International monitors say Cambodia's recent election was flawed and did not meet key standards, despite improvements in electoral processes.

Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has won nearly 60 per cent of the vote in early returns from the weekend poll.

But a preliminary report by European Union election monitors has found the poll was marred by the CPP's domination of media coverage and the improper deletion of people from registration lists so they could not vote.

The leader of the EU observers, Martin Callanan, says the campaign was generally conducted in a more peaceful and open environment compared to previous elections, but it had fallen short of a number of key international standards for democratic elections.

The EU calculated that 50,000 voters were left off rolls, but Mr Callanan says that would not have greatly affected the election since early results show a large majority for the CPP.

"Any irregularities that were proved would clearly have to be on a very large scale in order to invalidate that result," he said.

However, the four minority parties have rejected the outcome, accusing the CPP of fiddling with the voter rolls to ensure their victory.

EU Observers Head for Provinces

EU election observer (Photo: AN, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

By Seng Ratana, VOA Khmer
Original report from Pailin
23 July 2008

The European Union sent 130 election observers from 22 different countries across Cambodia Tuesday.

The EU observers will watch the opening of polling stations, the transmission of ballots and the vote count, said Elson Graham, deputy chief of the observer mission.

Graham​ said the main objectives of the election observers are to strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of law, to deter fraud , to enhance public confidence in the election process and to contribute to conflict resolution.

The EU will also follow complaints from political parties.

Sunday's election will utilize more than 15,000 polling stations. The National Election Committee has accepted 24,000 national observers and 400 international observers.

Hang Puthea, executive director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia, said the number of observers was not enough.

Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, said he would send his 10,000 observers to the provinces on Friday.

NEC Secretary-General Tep Nitha said the observers were playing an important role to ensure the election would be free and fair.

International Observers Gathering for Election

By Seng Ratana, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
20 June 2008

The European Union said Friday it would send 130 observers for July's national election, adding to a growing number of international monitors.

This is the fourth time EU observers have participated in elections.

The EU observers will join more than 121,000 local observers from 46 non-governmental agencies, as well as 124 international observers, from the US, Japan and France.

EU Martin Callanan: All Cambodian politicians [including Hor Namhong] should get used to being criticized

Martin Callanan, EU MEP

Attempt to strip Sam Rainsy’s immunity postponed

20 June 2008
By Kim Pov Sottan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the original article in Khmer

On Friday, the European Union indicated that the attempt by the Cambodian court to lift opposition leaders Sam Rainsy’s parliamentary immunity, so that he can be charged by the lawsuit brought up by Hor Namhong, will be postponed.

Martin Callanan, the chairman of the EU election observers group who just arrived in Cambodia and met with Hor Namhong on Thursday afternoon, claimed that Hor Namhong agreed to postpone this case.

Martin Callanan said: “I met with Mr. Hor Namhong and I raised about the immunity stripping issue, Mr. Hor Namhong confirmed to me that Mr. Sam Rainsy will not be stripped of his immunity before the election campaign.”

In a press conference held in the afternoon of Friday about the progress of the EU work in the election observation, Martin Callanan sent a message to all Cambodian politicians to get used to being criticized, saying: “As a politician myself, we must face all the news that could affect us, whether that news is true or not. We must get used to live with false information because we are politicians.”

The Phnom Penh municipal court recently requested for an immediate stripping of opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s immunity so that it can take measures against him stemming from the defamation lawsuit brought up Hor Namhong regarding the accusation that he was the former Boeng Trabek jail chief under the KR regime.

This request led to concerns about the potential arrest of Sam Rainsy, and the EU believes that this will severely affect the run up to the election. The EU indicated also that it sent 130 election observers, 22 of whom are EU MPs. These observers will be arriving in Cambodia soon.

The EU observers will start working with all political parties starting now, in order to push for the holding of free elections that abide with the international standards.

EU to deploy election observation mission in Cambodia

BRUSSELS, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission will deploy an independent election observation mission for Cambodia's National Assembly elections scheduled on July 27 2008, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Thursday.

The EU Election Observation Mission (EOM), with a total of 113 short and long term observers, will monitor Cambodia's fourth parliamentary elections since the signing of the Paris Peace Accord in October 1991.

The mission will be led by Martin Callanan, member of the European Parliament.

"Over the last decade Cambodia has taken many important steps towards democracy and in particular in the field of human rights," said Ferrero-Waldner.

She said the EU "has been and will remain actively engaged in supporting Cambodia in a wide array of areas including education, judicial reform, fighting corruption and increasing transparency within the government."

"Because of the importance the EU attaches to these elections, I have decided to deploy an EU EOM to support and undertake a comprehensive assessment of the entire election process," she said.

EU to send delegation to watch parliamentary election of Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) is planning to send a 120-member delegation to Cambodia to help supervise its parliamentary election on July 27, Chinese-language newspaper the Jianhua Daily said on Tuesday.

This will be the third election-supervising delegation coming from the EU to the kingdom, if the plan is approved by both sides, the paper quoted EU's resident officials as saying.

The delegation, together with about 8,400 national and international observers, will watch the election process and try to make it safe and democratic, the officials said.

From Sept. 8, 2007 to April 22, 2008, the National Election Committee (NEC) of Cambodia has accredited 8,342 observers, including 2,938 females and 42 international ones, to supervise the process of the 4th National Assembly election.

So far on Monday, 12 out of the country's 57 political parties have officially registered for the election. They will compete for the 123 seats in the Cambodian National Assembly.

In the 2003 general election, the ruling Cambodian People's Party led by Prime Minister Hun Sen won 73 seats, the co-ruling Funcinpec Party 26 seats, and the major opposition Sam Rainsy Party 24 seats.

EU will send election observers to Cambodia

Tuesday, March 03, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Eneko Landaburu, Director General of the European Commission, declared that the EU plans to send over a group of about 200 observers to participate in the observation of the upcoming 27 July 2008 general election. During a press conference given in Phnom Penh, Eneko Landaburu said that the EU sent election observers to 15 countries at the beginning of this year, for example, on 18 February 2008, the EU sent 845 observers to Pakistan to participate in the observation of the MP election in this country. He said that, in the upcoming election in Cambodia, the EU plans to send about 200 observers to follow up on the election for MPs. In response to the question as to whether, after the election, the EU could consider the election as being free and fair or not, Enekolene Daburu said that the election observers do not provide an evaluation on the election, this issue is up to the government which organizes the election.

EU commits to observing Cambodian national election

PHNOM PENH, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission (EC) has announced that it would send 150-200 election experts to observe this year's national election of Cambodia, local newspaper the Mekong Times reported Monday.

The EC wishes to support an improvement in the quality of this nation's democracy and is sending an EU observance mission to aid the electoral process, Eneko Landaburu, Director General for External Relations of EC, said at a press conference in Phnom Penh, according to the newspaper.

A team of electoral experts will visit Cambodia this week to determine the level of observance at the elections, Landaburu said.

"They will produce a global report, and on the basis of the report we will take decision on the size of the mission," he was quoted as saying.

The level of EC funding for the election will also depend on the outcome of the report, he said, adding that the role of the observers will be strictly defined.