Cambodia releases details of new draft election law

PHNOM PENH - Cambodia's ruling and opposition parties on Monday announced details of a draft election law, along with a draft law on the formation of a National Election Committee (NEC), before they are sent to the National Assembly for approval.

The two draft laws have been made by experts of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) following a July agreement struck between Prime Minister Hun Sen and CNRP President Sam Rainsy that ended the opposition's 10-month boycott of parliament.

The laws are aimed at ensuring free and fair elections and preventing post-election deadlock in the future.

CNRP's senior official Eng Chhay Eang told seminar that in the next elections in 2018, the number of parliamentary seats will be increased to 125 from 123.

The electoral campaign will be reduced from 30 days to 21 days, he said, adding that civil society groups and foreigners are not allowed to conduct campaigns for any political parties.

CPP's senior official Sek Bunhok said the new draft law also added rule that would see parties lose their seats for boycotting parliament after an election.

"After the official results of election, any party, that wins one or more parliamentary seats but boycotts the parliament when the king convenes, will be deemed to have abandoned seats," he said.

According to the draft law, the NEC will comprise of nine members, including four from the CPP, four from the CNRP and an independent representative.

"NEC members must have only Cambodian nationality," said CNRP's senior official Yem Ponharith, adding that the NEC president will be in the rank equaling to a deputy prime minister, NEC's deputy president with the rank of a senior minister, and NEC's members with the rank of ministers.

The NEC will have independent budget for its operations.

Cambodia holds national election in every five years. The last election was conducted on July 28, 2013.

The parliament comprises of 123 seats, including 68 from the CPP and 55 seats from the CNRP.