Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Over 23K observers set for 23 election: Comfrel

Over 23K observers set for 23 election: Comfrel

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Voters cast their ballots during the commune council election in June in Phnom Penh’s Toul Kork district. Hong Menea

Over 23K observers set for 23 election: Comfrel

The Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL) said it intends to deploy as many observers as possible across the Kingdom during next year’s general election.

COMFREL executive director Kim Chhorn told The Post that the election would mark a political turning point. Several politicians who were once banned from politics had served out the terms of their bans and are now eligible to contest the election.

He said COMFREL deployed nearly 2,000 observers during the 2022 commune council elections. For next July’s general election, it plans to position over 23,000 observers at polling stations across the country.

“We intend to have an observer in every single one of the polling stations. Perhaps it will not be possible, but we are striving to gather the resources we will need. In any case, we will deploy as many observers as is possible,” he added.

“The upcoming national election is more significant than the local elections were, and we, as observers have an important role to play. We will try to recruit as many observers as possible,” said Chhorn.

Last week, COMFREL – and several other civil society organisations involved in election related work – proposed several new measures to the National Election Committee (NEC). Their suggestions included permitting migrant workers to register to vote from the countries they are working in, and that the doors of vote counting rooms not be closed, in order to promote transparency.

In response, the NEC made it clear that what it did was in line with the laws, procedures and rules that apply to Cambodian elections.

NEC deputy secretary-general Som Sorida told The Post that two of the Kingdom’s elections feature universal suffrage – the commune council and parliamentary elections. This meant that almost all citizens over the age of 18 were eligible to vote.

The non-universal elections are the Senate Election – in which only commune councilors and members of the National Assembly may vote – and the election of district, provincial and municipal councils, which only one group may vote in – commune council members.

He added that there were 23,602 polling stations in service for the 2022 Commune Council Elections. This may increase by as many as 9 for July’s general election, depending on the number of voters who successfully register.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.