SRP supporters during the 2007 commune election campaign (Photo: RFA)04 May 2008
By Mom Sophon
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
A high ranking opposition official indicated on Sunday 04 May, that his party will convoke its permanent committee to weigh in whether the party will participate in the upcoming general election or not, because of a number of irregularities which are taking place during the election preparation.
Eng Chhay Eang, SRP Secretary-general, indicated that the party permanent committee will hold a meeting this weekend to review and discuss about the election progress. Eng Chhay Eang said: “… should we participate in the election or not? There must be some changes made to the election progress. We see a lot of lacking issues within the NEC which acts improperly in the election registration and the removal of names from the voters’ election list. For the election campaign, we saw that the (ruling party) is using state-owned media, therefore the ruling party has access to a very strong broadcast media, starting from now on, whereas other political parties do not. Furthermore, regarding the neutrality of civil servants, now, the ruling party uses civil servants, it uses state resources for its own election campaign: such as the police force, army force, the court, etc… and this is a violation of the party law, but, we didn’t see the NEC taking any measure, it closes its eyes and allows the ruling party to do whatever they want.”
Tep Nytha, NEC secretary-general, said that during the upcoming election campaign, the NEC will organize an election on state-media with equal time for all parties. Tep Nytha said: “I don’t know when they made their criticisms, because during the election campaign, the NEC will organize an equal-time (campaigning program) on state media. On the other hand, right now, the ruling on the campaign is not the NEC’s duty. During the 30-day election campaign, the NEC will organize a campaign program broadcasted on state media, both on radio and TV, to meet with parties participating in the election, there will be equal time allotted.”
Kem Sokha, HRP president, said that his party will participate in the election, even though there are a number of irregularities. Kem Sokha said: “We decided to participate (in the election), we must participate, even if there are some irregularities, and there are some doubtful issues. We must participate and we will protest about some of the issues.”
Kul Panha, Comfrel Director, said that the pre-election situation for this mandate is better than the previous elections, and the use of campaigning means seems to be less restrictive: “It’s better for the 2008 election, in particular, for the security. Up until now, we didn’t see severe cases of violence, assassinations of opposition party members and politicians yet. If we look among the political parties, it is better (than before).”
Up until this Sunday, there are only 3 political parties which registered for the election. 12 May will the final date for party registration for the election.
Eng Chhay Eang, SRP Secretary-general, indicated that the party permanent committee will hold a meeting this weekend to review and discuss about the election progress. Eng Chhay Eang said: “… should we participate in the election or not? There must be some changes made to the election progress. We see a lot of lacking issues within the NEC which acts improperly in the election registration and the removal of names from the voters’ election list. For the election campaign, we saw that the (ruling party) is using state-owned media, therefore the ruling party has access to a very strong broadcast media, starting from now on, whereas other political parties do not. Furthermore, regarding the neutrality of civil servants, now, the ruling party uses civil servants, it uses state resources for its own election campaign: such as the police force, army force, the court, etc… and this is a violation of the party law, but, we didn’t see the NEC taking any measure, it closes its eyes and allows the ruling party to do whatever they want.”
Tep Nytha, NEC secretary-general, said that during the upcoming election campaign, the NEC will organize an election on state-media with equal time for all parties. Tep Nytha said: “I don’t know when they made their criticisms, because during the election campaign, the NEC will organize an equal-time (campaigning program) on state media. On the other hand, right now, the ruling on the campaign is not the NEC’s duty. During the 30-day election campaign, the NEC will organize a campaign program broadcasted on state media, both on radio and TV, to meet with parties participating in the election, there will be equal time allotted.”
Kem Sokha, HRP president, said that his party will participate in the election, even though there are a number of irregularities. Kem Sokha said: “We decided to participate (in the election), we must participate, even if there are some irregularities, and there are some doubtful issues. We must participate and we will protest about some of the issues.”
Kul Panha, Comfrel Director, said that the pre-election situation for this mandate is better than the previous elections, and the use of campaigning means seems to be less restrictive: “It’s better for the 2008 election, in particular, for the security. Up until now, we didn’t see severe cases of violence, assassinations of opposition party members and politicians yet. If we look among the political parties, it is better (than before).”
Up until this Sunday, there are only 3 political parties which registered for the election. 12 May will the final date for party registration for the election.
