The National Election Committee (NEC) has so far granted permission to 7,662 political party representatives – 1,617 of them women – to observe its preparations of voter lists, ahead of next year’s national elections.
A December 14 press release from the NEC said the agents were members of six political parties. The largest group of observers will come from the Cambodian People’s Party, with 3,739 registered, and closely followed by the Candlelight Party, with 3,432. Meanwhile FUNCINPEC has registered 3,094 agents. The Khmer National United Party has 123 agents, the Cambodian Youth Party has 37, and the Democracy Power Party has 22.
The NEC added that the registration of political party agents lasts from October 13, 2022 to February 11, 2023.
“Any agents who observe the voter list review and voter registration process must abide by the applicable laws and regulations. We expect them to adhere to the code of conduct which is in place,” it said.
Som Sorida, deputy secretary-general and spokesman for the NEC, said on December 15 that the NEC has a lot of work to do during this five-month period.
“During this time, political party agents have a duty to monitor the process. They will do so right up until the NEC validates its work and officially issues the lists on February 21,” he added.
Nheun Raden, FUNCINPEC spokesman, said his party had deployed agents in more than 180 communes. The party had instructed them to watch the process closely and report on any irregularities.
He said that although the party did not deploy agents in every commune in the country, the general feeling was that the list preparation and registration process was being managed well.
“According to our observers, people are coming forward to register in large numbers,” he added.
