Commune council members of the 5th mandate who were elected on June 5 and just recently officially confirmed in their offices have pledged that they will be dedicated servants of the people and will assist with the development of their villages and communes.
Chea Chanron, a resident of Lve commune in Kampong Cham province’s Koh Sotin district and a member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) – was confirmed the winner of his electoral contest on July 5. He told The Post that he was proud to have the support of the people in his commune and to be elected as a member of the commune council for the first time.
He said that as a member of the commune council in the new mandate, he will work hard and will be committed to serving the people with the best of his ability by responding to all of their needs.
He thanked voters in his commune for supporting the CPP but noted that he will be there to help all commune residents regardless of their political affiliations.
"I will do my best to serve the people whenever they need or ask me for help, such as when they are registering birth certificates, or their residence books – I will assist with all of the services and needs of all the people," he said.
In addition to day-to-day services, the newly elected commune chief said he and the other council members will also participate in the development planning for the commune and in maintaining security and order for the commune so that people can live in a safe and clean environment.
Nhim Sarom, a newly elected commune chief from the Candlelight Party in Chamna Leu commune of Kampong Thom province’s Stong district, told The Post on July 5 that he would work hard to serve the residents there and to fully comply with the commune administrative law and other regulations of the Ministry of Interior in order to serve the people with the utmost honesty.
"I will assist by providing various documents in accordance with the law. If the law requires us to charge a fee, we will only charge based on the legally required amount. I will not take more than that and if any council member or clerk makes that mistake, the laws will be enforced against them," he said.
Hot Ratha, chief of Trapeang Krasaing commune of Phnom Penh’s Por Senchey district, spoke at the announcement ceremony of the winners for Trapeang Krasaing's council on July 5, saying that he thanked the local citizens who voted for him.
He said he will strive to perform his duties with wisdom, inspiration and responsibility as he leads and manages the development of the commune’s growth and strengthens its internal relations while also pledging to assist various organisations in the commune as well as its people and the authorities at all levels so that they may solve challenges based on the needs and requests of the people.
"For this new mandate, the Trapeang Krasang commune council will strive to respond to the requests of the people with care and justice and for the sustainable development of the commune. I will also strengthen labour discipline in accordance with the law governing commune administration and internal regulations," he said.
Kandal provincial governor Kong Sophorn spoke at the first meeting to validate the Teuk Khleang commune council for the 5th mandate at Lvea Em district hall on July 5, saying that the elected commune councils had to sustain the leadership, management and development at the local level over the next five years while continuing to manage and develop the local community to ensure sustainability in administration and services delivery as well as furthering local development.
"As elected councils, whether you are from the same political party or a different political party, in principle, the council represents the whole of the local citizenry," he said.
He urged council members in this five-year term to work hard and manage their local affairs to meet the needs of the people and serve the interests and needs of all people equally as they also have to be fair and not discriminate against anyone over their political tendencies.
Since 2002, Cambodia has held a total of five commune council elections in accordance with the principles of the Constitution which requires that the Kingdom be a liberal multiparty democracy.
