CPP, CNRP at odds over election body reform

 

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) -- The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) failed to issue a joint statement after their join committee yesterday at the Senate. CPP criticized CNRP for demanding that the election body should be approved by the two-third majority of the 123-seat National Assembly.

CNRP said in its statement that it would like to reform the National Election Committee (NEC), especially its composition. 

The CNRP wanted to redefine the role of the NEC and the appointment of NEC members to be approved by a two-third majority of the members of the National Assembly, the statement said. 

“The CNRP is willing to continue the dialogue with the CPP, only if the later accepts its above-mentioned requests.”

The CNRP believed that any electoral reform must first address the issue of the NEC because this institution is in charge of organizing any election. Therefore, if there is no agreement on the NEC, no credible electoral reform can be conducted, the statement added.

CPP criticized CNRP for its demands. 

“CPP regrets when CNRP raised this issue as its condition, which blocks the progress of the election reform talk,” said CPP in its statement.