On March 18, 2015 at 2:00pm Phnom Penh time, Mr. Sophoan Seng who is the Leader of The CEROC joint live Round Table Discussion with VOD radio www.sarika.info regarding recent letters of The CEROC sent to H.E.Sam Rainsy and H.E.Sar Kheng, Minority and Majority Leader of the Assembly. The discussion was facilitated by Mrs.Lim Thida and the Four Speakers are: Mr. Sophoan Seng, Mr. Rong Chun, Mr. Ath Thon and Mr. Dy Thehoya.
Sunday, 15 March 2015; News by Khmer Times / T. Mohan and Ros Chanveasna
Manith Hun (L), deputy director of Prime Minister’s cabinet, argues that keeping NGOs out of political election campaigns creates a level playing field. He is seen here attending a 2012 ceremony in Phnom Penh. Photo: Reuters
PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times) – Proposed election legislation banning civil groups from election campaigning is being misinterpreted, says a close aide of the prime minister.
The bill refers to institutions and not to individuals working for local or international non-governmental organizations (NGOs or INGOs).
Manith Hun, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s deputy cabinet director, told Khmer Times that the new law is designed to protect voters from false information.
“This is because during the 2013 general election campaign period, there were several INGOs and NGOs which spread false information in order to influence public opinion, which had a great impact on voter’s decision as to which party they would vote for,” said Mr. Manith, 33, who entered the public sphere in 2012 when he ran a program of student volunteers measuring land for villagers.
“This was the same as the propaganda dished out by certain political parties while destroying the image of another,” he said.
Referring to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), the prime ministers’advisor said: “In the case of the 2013 election, several of the latter destroyed the image of the government and of the CPP, while helping out the CNRP.” The New Law Creates Fair Play
Mr Manith, who usually remains out of the public limelight, commented that the new law merely makes a level playing field for all political parties, as it requires the civil groups and NGOs to remain neutral and fair.
“However, as individuals working within the local and international NGOs, they can campaign for any party, as long as they do not use the titles of their institutions nor the institution’s banner,” Mr. Manith said.
Two new laws governing elections and the functioning of the National Election Committee are expected to be passed without further debate during a session of parliament later this week.
Representatives of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party announced the decision yesterday, despite opposition to the current drafts from election watchdogs.
Kuoy Bunroeun, head of the CNRP working group, said there would be “no more discussion” of the laws because they had already been agreed on by both parties last week. Sik Bun Hok, a CPP lawmaker, could not confirm that the current drafts would remain intact, but said “we are in a hurry to pass this law”.
The Election Reform Alliance (ERA), a group of 60 nongovernmental election monitors, boycotted a public forum last week where the drafts were presented. Koul Panha, executive director of Comfrel, a member of the ERA, urged the parties to reconsider and amend the laws.
“It affects civil society, and also the rights of parties and observers,” he said. “The parties must resolve this problem.”
Seng who is the Leader of The CEROC joint live Round Table Discussion with VOD radio www.sarika.info regarding recent letters of The CEROC sent to H.E.Sam Rainsy and H.E.Sar Kheng, Minority and Majority Leader of the Assembly. The discussion was facilitated by Mrs.Lim Thida and the Four Speakers are: Mr. Sophoan Seng, Mr. Rong Chun, Mr. Ath Thon and Mr. Dy Thehoya.
