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Cambodian PM defends recently-promulgated electoral laws

Xinhua, April 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday defended two recently-promulgated electoral laws after they have drawn criticism from some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foreigners.

The election law and the law on the formation of a National Election Committee (NEC) were unanimously passed by the National Assembly last month and were promulgated by King Norodom Sihamoni last week. "The laws are to ensure free and fair elections, the rule of law and harmony,"the prime minister said during the inauguration ceremony of a bridge in northeast Stung Treng province."It is impossible to cancel the laws due to your criticism."

His remarks came after some NGOs and foreigners, who always interfere in Cambodia's internal affairs, criticized the laws, saying that they are worse than the old laws.

The two new laws were enacted by lawmakers from the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) following a July agreement reached between Hun Sen and CNRP's President Sam Rainsy that ended the opposition's 10-month boycott of parliament.

Some NGOs and foreigners have criticized the new election law since it bans civil society groups and foreigners from rounding up votes for any political parties during electoral campaigns.

It also states that any party, that wins one or more parliamentary seats in the election but boycotts the parliament when the king convenes, will be deemed to have abandoned seats.

For the new law on the formation of a bipartisan NEC, the NEC will comprise of nine members: four from the CPP, four from the CNRP and one independent person, who is not related to political parties.

It also requires all NEC members to have only Cambodian nationality.

Hun Sen said a new NEC will be officially formed on April 13. Endi