19 April 2008By Mom Sophon
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
An election observer expressed concerns over the upcoming election process, saying that it will not be smooth because the NEC cannot increase the salary for its employees at a time when the price of goods is soaring.
Dr. Hang Puthea, executive director of the NICFEC organization, told RFA on 18 April that he is concerned about the NEC budget shortfall.
Dr. Hang Puthea said: “Normally, the process must be planned in advance, and it should be linked to the budget plan. Therefore, if there is a shortfall, I think the election will not be smooth. With the price inflation, I believe that workers and officials preparing the election, at the commune and provincial levels, will be deceived and they will be concerned about their living conditions, and at times, they may be thinking more about their living conditions rather than the work they are charged to undertake.”
In the past, the NEC announced that it needs $17 million to organize the fourth legislative mandate election, however, it is still short of $2.5 million from the total needed.
Tep Nytha, NEC secretary-general, indicated that, for the NEC employees working at the provincial or commune levels will not see any salary increase.
Tep Nytha said: “We are also concerned about this problem because in our budget plan, we included a 2% actual price increase, but if we compare to the rate of price inflation for materials needed for the election, it is more than 2%. Nevertheless, a large portion of our budget had been spent already, besides that, other spending was also done prior to the inflation. The material which saw a price increase includes: additional voting boxes, steel cases needed at the commune election booths. This also affects (the purchase of) paper. It will also affect other measures, such as transportation, this is due to the increase in the price of gasoline.”
Tep Nytha added that even with the NEC budget shortfall, the preparation for the election will not be a problem.
Keo Remy, HRP vice-president, said that even if the NEC faces budget shortfall, he still hopes that the election will be conducted well, and that it depends on the NEC officials abiding by the election law and rules.
Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, indicated that he does not have enough confidence in the NEC yet. He said that the progress for the election preparation does not depend on the salary (of NEC employees), but it depends on the neutrality of the NEC officials instead.
Dr. Hang Puthea, executive director of the NICFEC organization, told RFA on 18 April that he is concerned about the NEC budget shortfall.
Dr. Hang Puthea said: “Normally, the process must be planned in advance, and it should be linked to the budget plan. Therefore, if there is a shortfall, I think the election will not be smooth. With the price inflation, I believe that workers and officials preparing the election, at the commune and provincial levels, will be deceived and they will be concerned about their living conditions, and at times, they may be thinking more about their living conditions rather than the work they are charged to undertake.”
In the past, the NEC announced that it needs $17 million to organize the fourth legislative mandate election, however, it is still short of $2.5 million from the total needed.
Tep Nytha, NEC secretary-general, indicated that, for the NEC employees working at the provincial or commune levels will not see any salary increase.
Tep Nytha said: “We are also concerned about this problem because in our budget plan, we included a 2% actual price increase, but if we compare to the rate of price inflation for materials needed for the election, it is more than 2%. Nevertheless, a large portion of our budget had been spent already, besides that, other spending was also done prior to the inflation. The material which saw a price increase includes: additional voting boxes, steel cases needed at the commune election booths. This also affects (the purchase of) paper. It will also affect other measures, such as transportation, this is due to the increase in the price of gasoline.”
Tep Nytha added that even with the NEC budget shortfall, the preparation for the election will not be a problem.
Keo Remy, HRP vice-president, said that even if the NEC faces budget shortfall, he still hopes that the election will be conducted well, and that it depends on the NEC officials abiding by the election law and rules.
Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, indicated that he does not have enough confidence in the NEC yet. He said that the progress for the election preparation does not depend on the salary (of NEC employees), but it depends on the neutrality of the NEC officials instead.
