Taking to the streets

The Cambodian National Rescue Party says it will hold its promised demonstration against National Election Committee voter-list policies about a week after the end of Khmer New Year, a representative of the largest opposition party said yesterday.

“After Khmer New Year, we will inform the Phnom Penh municipality to tell them that we will do a mass demonstration on the 24th [of April], CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann said. “There will be 4,000 members participating.”

He said the NEC has to recognise that the voter list is not transparent, as recent reports have found high numbers of people whose names were, inexplicably, removed from the list.

He added that the protesters would repeat demands that CNRP president Sam Rainsy – living abroad to avoid jail terms many believe are politically motivated – be allowed to return and participate in July’s national elections.

NEC secretary-general Tep Nytha responded that the NEC cannot follow the specific demands of one political party, lest it appear biased.