Civil servants seconded to the National Election Committee during the voter registration period will receive their regular salaries and allowances in addition to the sum paid them by the NEC after intervention by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Responding to requests posted on his Facebook page on Friday, the premier swiftly ruled in what has been a succession of decisions by fiat on the social media platform.

“After receiving comments from contract civil servants who work for the NEC, I order the Ministry of Civil Service to maintain the salaries of these workers,” Hun Sen wrote.

Last week, the Ministry of Civil Service sent a letter to the NEC stating the salaries of civil servants working on registration were the responsibility of the committee. A similar arrangement was made during the 2013 elections. But the ministry quickly changed its tune in the wake of the premier’s announcement.

According to a new letter released by the ministry, civil servants working for the NEC will now retain their original salaries and allowances. NEC spokeman Heang Puthea confirmed there are about 7,000 civil servants now set to receive double pay.