NEC: No state property to be used during election campaign

By Ly Menghour

The Mekong Times

State property, including everything from vehicles to TV stations, must not be used for political campaigning ahead of the July national elections, warned Im Soursdey, president of the National Election Committee (NEC), yesterday.“During the one-month-long [June 26-July 25] election campaign, we have warned political parties not to use state-owned property, especially cars with government, police and Royal Cambodian Armed Forces number plates,” he said, cautioning that the NEC would take legal action against any political parties violating the regulation.Im Soursdey said the statement was “designed to prevent members of one political party from taking advantage over another party.”However, he neglected to mention what kind of measures the NEC will take against political parties that flout the NEC warning, saying only that punishment “will be based on the extent of mistakes a party makes.” He assured no candidate or party would be banned from joining the national election as a result of breaching the edict.Opposition politicians have repeatedly criticized the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) of using state-owned property to gain an unfair advantage. “State-owned cars were mostly used by government officials when they went to the provinces to meet CPP supporters,” alleged Norodom Ranariddh Party spokesman Muth Chantha. “For the upcoming national election, CPP members standing as candidates will use state cars and state gasoline when they start their campaigns.” Muth Chantha also voiced concerns over media bias, especially in the state-owned TVK television channel.“Does TVK serve the nation or the CPP when the activities of government members wearing caps and T-shirts bearing the CPP logo are broadcasted on TVK?” he asked.SRP lawmaker Yim Sovann was also concerned. “TVK should serve the interests of the nation, not those of a political party,” he said. “I request that TVK suspend broadcasting the activities of members of the ruling party during the upcoming election campaign.”TVK director Kem Gunawath, was brusque in his rebuttal of the opposition criticism.“I am no thief,” he said. “I don’t need to react to accusations made by various political figures. But, on behalf of TVK and as a civil servant receiving a salary from the state, we have made all efforts to do our duty appropriately.”Kem Gunawath said TVK will provide 100 minutes of free airtime each day for each political party during the election campaign.Im Soursdey also asked public and private television and radio stations to inform NEC of the airtime allocated to each political party. Airtime must be reasonable and equally priced for all political parties, he stressed.