Vandalism, Intimidation Appear for Election Season
- From: "Chim" <ChimS1@xxxxxxx>
- Date: 19 Mar 2007 18:15:57 -0700
http://voanews.com/khmer/2007-03-19-voa4.cfm
Vandalism, Intimidation Appear for Election Season
VOA Khmer Stringers
Phnom Penh
19/03/2007
[Editor's note: For full audio to VOA Khmer's converage of this story,
scroll throughout.]
As the Cambodian election season ramps up, some parties say they are
facing unfair impediments, with signs torn down and supporters shut
down, with less than two weeks before Election Day.
Nearly 8 million Cambodians will go to the polls April 1 to select
local commune leaders, in elections meant to decentralize governmental
power and strengthen democracy.
Cambodian elections are typically a time of increased violence and
intimidation, and lengthy interviews by VOA Khmer with various party
leaders suggest this season will likely be no different.
Activists for the Norodom Ranariddh Party saw signs torn down in
Kampot and Kampong Cham provinces following what they call a surge of
support in both provinces. To listen to Chun Sakada report in Khmer,
click here.
"These people destroyed the posters, and the persons who were nearby
did not notice the action," NRP candidate Mak Oeung told VOA by phone.
"My side of the party is strong. I was with Funcinpec previously, but
later I left the party and joined the Norodom Ranariddh Party. All the
strong people follow me."
A local election committee representative, Yim Ran, told VOA he was
investigating.
Meanwhile, Sam Rainsy Party supporters say a military commander in Koh
Kong province stopped a political procession for an hour after the
group tried to rally inside one area where land-grabbing was an issue.
Military and government officials are increasingly taking land from
the rural poor, a situation that has become highly politicized in this
election.
National Election Committee Secretary-General Tep Nitha told VOA he
had not heard of the Kon Kong incident, but in general groups should
seek permission first before rallying in public areas.
Parties should notify the NEC, so it "can provide security," he said.
These elections have 12 separate parties in them. And while only the
Cambodian People's Party, Funcinpec, SRP and NRP have nationwide
campaigns, many of the smaller parties are carving niches for
themselves in select areas.
The Khmer National Party, for example, told VOA it was against
corruption and was campaigning on a platform to pass anti-corruption
legislation that has been around since 1994. Land grabbing was also an
area of concern, party leader Sum Sitha said. To listen to Mony report
in Khmer, click here.
Funcinpec, meanwhile, is campaigning on its royalist roots, said Keo
Puth Reaksmey, head of the party. The principles of a free
constitutional monarchy remain, as well as support for the king, the
promotion of people's interests, social freedom and economic
development, he said. To listen to Reaksmey Heng report in Khmer,
click here.
The Sangkum Jatiniyun Front Party will be the rule of law, party
delegate Prince Sisowath Thomico has said.
The party, which was put together this year from a handful of smaller
parties, wants "a society that people love, taking the international
level as a standard," he told VOA as the elections kicked off Friday.
"The party's priority is to implement the law." To listen to Mony
report in Khmer, click here.
.
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