Sunday, 1 June 2008

CPP Forced Coalition Defection: Officials

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
30 May 2008

Khmer audio aired May 30 (1.04MB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired May 30 (1.04MB) - Listen (MP3)

The Funcinpec party said Friday at least 50 members had been forced to join the ruling Cambodian People’s Party in Siem Reap province.

Chhum Sam, a Funcinpec commune leader for Srey Snom, said members were given money and gifts by CPP officials who told them a defection would mean they could live in peace and without intimidation.

Srey Snom District Governor Chhuern Chhean could not be reached for comment, but Tin Narin, a CPP commune chief, denied the accusations.

Adhoc investigator Sous Narin said he was working to confirm a lobbying effort by the CPP for Funcinpec, but he had not received a complaint from the coalition partner. Such acts could be a breach of election law, he said.

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