25 February 2014
PHNOM PENH — Negotiators from the ruling
and opposition parties say they have agreed on a commission for
electoral reforms, a step toward ending a political deadlock that has
been in place since July.
Boys hold flags of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) outside a house at a slum area in Phnom Penh July 23, 2013. Cambodian political parties have begun campaigning for the general election which will be held on July 28. Also seen (top, R) is a flag of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
Officials say that each party will have six representatives on the commission, but no date has been set for a first meeting.
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party delegation will be led by
Son Chhay, a lawmaker-elect for the party. The Cambodian People’s Party
delegation will be led by Prum Sokha, secretary of state for the
Ministry of Interior.The opposition has requested a meeting
date for the potential commission of Feb. 27. “We are waiting only to
decide when the commission will meet,” said Yem Ponhearith, a member of
the Rescue Party. “We’ll talk about voter lists, components of the
[National Election Committee], media and the date of the election,” he
said.
Ruling party officials could not be immediately reached comment. Both sides have been at odds since July, when the opposition says it lost an election marred by irregularities and fraud.
Hang Puthea, head of the election-monitoring group Nicfec, said the move toward a commission was “very positive to address the political crisis.”
Boys hold flags of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) outside a house at a slum area in Phnom Penh July 23, 2013. Cambodian political parties have begun campaigning for the general election which will be held on July 28. Also seen (top, R) is a flag of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
Officials say that each party will have six representatives on the commission, but no date has been set for a first meeting.
Ruling party officials could not be immediately reached comment. Both sides have been at odds since July, when the opposition says it lost an election marred by irregularities and fraud.
Hang Puthea, head of the election-monitoring group Nicfec, said the move toward a commission was “very positive to address the political crisis.”
