Details meted out for election panel
The first meeting of a joint election-reform committee that was
agreed to last week by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and the
opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party will meet for the first time
on Thursday, officials from both sides said yesterday.
Each side has appointed six officials, and the CNRP sent a formal
request to the CPP on Saturday, Son Chhay, senior opposition lawmaker
and head of its delegation to the committee, said.
The technical committee would focus on researching and eventually
producing a report of necessary election reforms, he added, with larger
issues of an early election or an electoral investigation to be
discussed when top party leaders finally meet for talks to end the
ongoing political deadlock.
“We [will] concentrate on the reform of the election system [so] if
the leaders of the parties agree on an early election then we are ready
for that and we will not be delayed.”
The committee would also look to meet with donors in the near future to inform them how they can assist, he said.
Senior CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap confirmed yesterday that the ruling party would attend the meeting on Thursday.
The CPP delegation consists of himself, deputy prime minister Bin
Chhin and lawmakers Chheang Vun, Pen Panha, Sik Bun Hok and Krouch Sam
An, he said, while the CNRP delegation consists of Chhay and lawmakers
Yim Sovann, Yem Ponharith, Kuoy Bunroeun, Mao Monyvann and Eng Chhay
Eang.
Following Japan, Australia has become the latest country that Prime
Minister Hun Sen has requested to assist Cambodia with election reform,
according to statements made after a meeting with Australian Foreign
Minister Julie Bishop on Saturday.
“Involving election issues, her excellency will take the request of
Cambodia into consideration,” Eang Sophalleth, the premier’s spokesman,
told reporters.
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