Jaded Voters Hear More Promises, as NEC Hails Campaign as Smooth
- From: "Chim" <ChimS1@xxxxxxx>
- Date: 22 Mar 2007 18:40:03 -0700
Jaded Voters Hear More Promises, as NEC Hails Campaign as Smooth
VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
22/03/2007
http://voanews.com/khmer/2007-03-22-voa5.cfm?renderforprint=1
Candidates and other political leaders are quick to notice the
problems of everyday Cambodians when an election is near, but
potential voters told VOA Thursday they were distrustful of true
benevolence from those who are now courting them.
"I don't believe it," Phnom Penh resident Bun Choeun told VOA.
"Because everything seems to happen coincidentally just before the
election."
More than 100,000 commune council candidates have been campaigning for
six days, handing out leaflets, visiting constituents, debating-and
making promises many Cambodians have become skeptical of.
Politicians "pay attention to us as the election approaches, like
developing here and there," Bun Choeun said. "It seems like it is done
to deceive us. They honor their promises when the election approaches.
Afterwards, they will forget us."
To listen to Kong Soth report in Khmer, click here.
While candidates from 11 other parties were busy trying to get their
messages across in the campaign period, adviser Om Yentieng told VOA
the ruling Cambodian People's Party had more than a platform; they had
a long-term plan to develop the country.
The CPP's goal was to stay near the people, he said.
The military sector was "progressing," he said.
The party supported democracy and a multi-party state, Om Yentieng
said, calling corruption an obstacle to progress.
To hear Mean Veasna report in Khmer, click here.
The elections so far have seen fewer incidents of violence and
intimidation, the National Election Committee said Thursday.
NEC Secretary-General Tep Nitha told reporters the campaign period was
smooth and peaceful, but two main opposition leaders disagreed.
Every day of campaigning has seen some irregularities, Muth Chanta,
spokesman for the Norodom Ranariddh Party, and opposition leader Sam
Rainsy both said.
To listen to Thida Win report in Khmer, click here.
Their concerns were underscored by the possible political killing of a
woman in Battambang province.
Eyewitnesses and opposition party activists told VOA that Chhum San,
56, was shot and killed Wednesday night after her husband participated
in a Sam Rainsy Party political rally. Though some opposition
officials said this was enough to constitute an act of political
intimidation, Ad Hoc coordinator Yin Meng Ly said the murder might
also have been a result of a grudge.
To listen to Heng Reaksmey report in Khmer, click here.
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