Cambodia’s Parliament to Question Polls Watchdog Over Reports

Cambodia’s parliament will question the director of a local election watchdog to determine whether the organization should “face consequences” for its claims of irregularities in recent national polls, a spokesman for the legislative body said Thursday. Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (Comfrel) chief Koul Panha will be summoned to testify about allegations that ink used to mark voters’ fingers in the July 28 polls was too easily washed off, National Assembly spokesman Chheang Von told reporters. … Koul Panha will also be asked about reports Comfrel produced with the U.S.-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) about names missing from voter rolls, Chheang Von said. Chheang Von warned that the two groups could “be held responsible” if government ministries find the reports to be false and have “bad intentions” behind them. … Koul Panha said Comfrel had no obligation to appear before the National Assembly—which currently contains only ruling party lawmakers—but would do so anyway. Comfrel stands by its reports and has plenty of evidence to show the ink used in the election was easily washed off, he said. …

 Radio Free Asia News Staff
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/comfrel-11072013163622.html