CPP piles on talking points in election reform talks

During the third meeting of the joint-party Electoral Reform Commission on Monday, the ruling CPP and opposition CNRP agreed to 14 points for future discussion, but failed to address the central issue of reforming the National Election Committee. The CNRP entered the first round of talks with the CPP earlier this month with seven reform proposals, a list that doubled in length following Monday’s meeting between the two parties at the Senate. Bin Chhin, the CPP deputy prime minister leading the ruling party’s electoral reform delegation, said that the 14 points, which include reform of state electoral institutions, would be put up for discussion in a future public forum to decide which reforms should be prioritized. … The 14 points of reform include the seven initial proposals by the CNRP, which consist of changes to the NEC and local electoral bodies, an overhaul of voter lists and registration, equitable access to the media, the creation of a new mechanism to resolve electoral disputes, the direct election of village chiefs and measures to ensure the neutrality of civil servants and the armed forces. Reform suggestions that have been added by the CPP include a new law on financing of political parties, measures to ensure the neutrality of civil society organizations, a review of independent election monitoring groups, revision of the electoral calendar, a review of electoral regulations and procedures, including harsher punishments for infractions, and a law restricting the publication of voter opinion surveys. …

 Mech Dara
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