Election monitoring NGO Comfrel has warned that smaller political parties are

worried that intimidation will damage their chances in next year's election. In

a statement October 30, Comfrel noted that since last February's local

elections, four political party activists had been killed. There have also been

27 cases of party related threats and intimidation. The NGO was also concerned

that official obstruction and a lack of security meant fewer parties would

contest the general election, scheduled for July 27, 2003. "We need more voices

from other political parties to improve the process of checks and balances and

to improve democracy," said Comfrel's Koul Panha.