A female deputy chief of a polling station in Phnom Penh will face the brunt of the law after she was caught stealing ink used to mark index fingers of voters during the national election.

Phnom Penh police are preparing to charge the woman after she failed to provide proper reasons for taking the ink bottles and transferring them to Por Sen Chey district on July 29.

National Police spokesman Kirth Chantharith told The Post yesterday that a case will be filed against the alleged offender, Chea Sotheary, at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

“She is currently detained at a district station. Police have questioned her several times to build a case, but she provides conflicting statements."

“She is not consistent in what she says and keeps changing her reasons. We could not take it as official answers. Therefore, we need to question her further before sending her to the court,” Chantharith said.

According to Por Sen Chey district police, Sotheary is a teacher at the Chumpu Vorn High School and a deputy chief at polling station number 1401.

Upon interrogation, Sotheary confessed to police that she took the ink to mark the fingers of those who did not cast their votes on Sunday.

National Election Commission spokesman Hang Puthea said the alleged offender could face a fine if found guilty.

According to Article 356 of the Criminal Code, a person found guilty of stealing could face six months to three years in jail, in addition to a fine ranging from one million to six million riel ($250-$1,500).

‘Grenade’ four released

In an unrelated case, police released four teens who were detained for bringing grenade-shape cigarette lighters into a Preah Vihear polling station on July 29.

In Preah Vihear’s Tbeng Meanchey district, deputy police chief Pai Chin said the teens were initially held after police suspected at the time that it could be a grenade.

“It was confusing as it was so dark. It looked like a real grenade and police arrested the suspects for further questioning. We found that it was just a cigarette lighter,” Chin said.

The four suspects were identified as You Vanluch, 22, Ruom Huch, 24, Sam Vitsopha,2 and Chon Yarit, 17.