The ruling Cambodian People’s Party and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party on Wednesday officially agreed to appoint Hang Puthea as the official spokesperson of the recently formed National Election Committee (NEC).

“I will play my role as a neutral member by providing accurate information related to electoral issues to the media and the public,” Puthea said yesterday

He said that the NEC is also scheduled to meet with international donors such as the European Union and the Japanese Embassy this afternoon, as a first step aimed at enhancing communication and reform.

“I think this is a starting point,” he said. “We don’t have a clear agenda yet, but it will be related to seeking out financial and technical assistance to ensure the neutrality of election reform. I would like to promise that I will maintain my neutral values.”

The new NEC was agreed upon by the CPP last July in order to get the opposition to end its parliamentary boycott. It comprises four people chosen by each party, and Puthea, the former head of election watchdog Nicfec, as the lone “neutral” member of the panel.

Koul Panha, of the election watchdog Comfrel, aired hope yesterday that the new NEC would benefit Cambodia.

“It is too early to evaluate the newly formed NEC, but I do hope that the new composition will get . . . the new body on the right track,” he said.