Watchdog Finds Ruling Party Irregularities During Latest Campaign

An unidentified Cambodian woman sticks out her head as she tries to cast her ballot at a polling station in Phnom Penh, file photo.

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer

13 May 2014

PHNOM PENH — The election watchdog Comfrel said Tuesday it had found a number of irregularities in conduct by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party during the campaign for sub-national elections, now underway.

The elections seat leaders at the provincial, district and city level, but they are only voted on by members of commune councils—elected representatives at the local level.

Comfrel officials told reporters Tuesday the CPP had banned certain rallies by the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, an abuse of election law, among other irregularities.

Cheam Yiep, a lawmaker for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, dismissed the allegations, saying the CPP and the National Election Committee “always respect the rule of law.”