NEC chairman Prach Chan holds a meeting on establishing voter education centres in three provinces on February 13. NEC
The National Election Committee (NEC) plans to establish voter education centres in Takeo, Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham provinces, aiming at enhancing public understanding of the electoral process through maintained and accessible educational content.
The decision was made during a meeting led by NEC chairman Prach Chan, according to a February 13 press release from the committee.
It said the meeting’s purpose was to review and approve the content of banners for voter instruction, educational video spots related to the upcoming 5th Senate election and a book summarising the election methodology.
“The voter education centres in the aforementioned three provinces will operate with the material and technical support of experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] in Cambodia,” the statement read.
At the same time, the NEC agreed on the content and images of two educational videos. These included a short educational story titled “5th Legislative Senate Election 2024” and a narrative about teaching and training on electoral procedures and vote counting for the 2024 Senate election, scheduled for February 25.
The committee also agreed in principle on a content summary of a book about the election process in Cambodia from 1993 to the present.
NEC spokesperson Mok Dara noted on February 14 that the centres represent an unprecedented initiative.
He said the committee agreed to establish them after receiving support from JICA, and they will be located in the provincial election secretariats of the chosen provinces.
“We initially selected only these three provinces as JICA’s plans for this year are limited to them, with intentions to expand to other provinces later,” stated Dara.
Sam Kuntheamy, executive director of the NGO Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (NICFEC), was unavailable for comment.
Kim Souphirith, a Senate election candidate from the Khmer Will Party (KWP), expressed support for the establishment of the educational facilities.
He noted that extensive voter education might not be necessary for the upcoming Senate election since the electorate comprises commune council and National Assembly (NA) members who already understand the process.
Souphirith said he would like such offices to serve the commune council and NA elections, as they are general elections open to the wider public.
“If the voter education centre remains open indefinitely, I think it’s advantageous, providing long-term benefits to both the public and the voters,” he commented.
FUNCINPEC spokesperson Nheun Raden expressed great satisfaction and congratulated the establishment of the facilities, highlighting their role in educating the public about the election process.
“I believe this [initiative] will aid people in better understanding the significance of elections and the importance of their ballot papers,” he said.
The two other contenders for the 5th Senate election are the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and Nation Power Party (NPP).
