Councilors to Get Payouts Before Vote in Upcoming Elections

The ruling CPP will pay a bonus of 500,000 riel (about $125) to each of its commune councilors just weeks before they go to the polls to vote in the next elections for district, city and provincial councilors in May. According to a copy of a letter signed on Monday by the head of the party’s Central Committee, Say Chhum, provincial-level central committee directors will be expected to facilitate the payments. “Offer 500,000 riel per person equally across the country,” it instructed the directors. “The time to offer money to all CPP commune councilors is made at the same time when the New Year celebration is nearing.” The notice said provincial working groups need to pay up if they can afford it and advise the central committee of their ability to pay by the end of the month, otherwise “the central level will help solve the problem.” … Suos Siphay, chief of Ta Ches commune in Kompong Chhnang province’s Kompong Tralach district, said he welcomed the decision to pay him. Mr. Siphay said this was the first time that the CPP had offered lump-sum payments to commune councilors. “Although I haven’t received any information yet about the money-giving, I don’t think it’s a problem when political parties help and give money to their members,” he said. …

 Kuch Naren
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/councilors-to-get-payouts-before-vote-in-upcoming-elections-52704/