The National Election Committee has warned civil society organisations that intend to deploy observers to monitor the election on July 29 without being registered that they will face the law. The NEC issued a statement on Saturday informing all its Phnom Penh and 24 provincial election committees to closely monitor election watchdog Comfel for training its volunteers to monitor the election on July 29, noting that the NGO was infringing on the Law on Political Parties, election law and law on NGOs and associations.
“The NEC thinks that this activity to monitor the election must be permitted and recognised by the NEC,” NEC secretary-general Tep Nytha said in the statement.
NEC spokesman Hang Puthea said yesterday that any organisation that wished to deploy observers to monitor the electoral process had to apply for registration at the NEC.
“We issue this letter as a reminder to them that if they want to observe the election they must register their observers at the NEC,” Mr Puthea said, noting that the NEC will ensure public security both inside and outside of polling stations.
Full Article: NGOs warned of unofficial election monitoring – Khmer Times.
