The National Election Committee (NEC) has scheduled May 17  to run local administrative elections nationwide, at a cost of US$1.5 million dollars. Secretary general of NEC, Tep Nytha, said the elected persons will play an important role in national politics at both the executive and legislative level. "The council will work to improve the balance of law enforcement and development," he said. The election monitor Nicfec will observe the polls, but another election group, Comfrel, will not, calling the elections "meaningless".