NEARLY 30,000 police officers will be deployed to districts, provinces and municipalities ahead of May's council elections, spokesman for the National Police Keat Chantharith told the Post Sunday.

"Nearly 30,000 police officers will be used across the country to ensure security for the forthcoming council elections," he said. The exact number is expected to be  27,133 on the day itself, May 17, he said.  

Sam Rainsy Party Deputy Secretary General Mu Sochua responded to the plan saying it was "a total waste of the national budget which could be used to help stimulate our economy, which is in crisis".