Election Monitor Recommends NEC Focus

By Sok Khemara,
VOA Khmer
Washington
13 February 2008

Sok Khemara reports in Khmer (1.25MB) - Listen (MP3)

A leading election monitor said Tuesday the national election body should start now focusing on election irregularities in order to ensure fair elections.

The National Election Committee should look at irregularities, complaints, threats, intimidation and campaign material collection, said Puthea Hang, executive director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections.

“I understand that the NEC is trying to do self reform so first they should take public opinion,” he said.

The NEC has called on political parties and non-governmental agencies to prepare recommendations this month for smooth elections of acceptable standards.

Puthea Hang said agencies will hold meetings this week to submit recommendations to the NEC.
Nicfec plans to push for a regulation within the NEC that nullifies results where election procedures are ignored.

For example, if there are threats, polling stations are opened late or ballot boxes are found unlocked, the results from that area should be rejected, he said.

NEC Secretary-General Tep Nitha said the NEC has fully applied election laws in the past and worked to solve complaints.

The NEC will review all the recommendations from political parties and election groups, he said, adding that the deadline for recommendations is Feb. 20.