Parliament Nominates New Election Body Officials

Rong Chhun, a former unionist and NEC member, said the nominations were in violation of the law.
PHNOM PENH —
The parliament has shortlisted three candidates to takeover positions on the National Election Committee vacated by members who quit in protest at the dissolution of the opposition.

Dim Sovannarom, the press director of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, was chosen along with two members of parties that assumed the Cambodia National Rescue Party’s seats in parliament: Nuth Sokhom, a Funcinpec party member, and Hel Sarat of the Cambodian Nationality Party.

They require parliamentary approval before taking up the posts.

Sovannarom, who is also vice president of the government’s Cambodian Human Rights Committee, declined to comment on the nomination until after the process was over.

The NEC has nine members and was reformed in an agreement between the CNRP and ruling Cambodian People’s Party that ended a period of political tension after the 2013 general election.

Rong Chhun, a former unionist and NEC member, said the nominations were in violation of the law, which states that one member must be from civil society and the remainder drawn from the opposition and ruling parties. “It’s a violation if there is no amendment,” he said.