Prime Minister Hun Sen on July 29 issued a sub-decree appointing Ngin Phal Roth – formerly the administrative officer at the Council of Ministers – as governor of the recently established Bokor town of Kampot province.
Gender and Development in Cambodia (GADC) executive director Ros Sopheap applauded the government for putting a woman in a leadership role.
“The appointment of a woman to Bokor town governor is good. It agrees with the government’s announced principle of increasing the number of women in leadership roles. This is a good move, but that will depend on the capacity of the individual who has been given the responsibility of leadership, too,” she said.
Phal Roth could not be reached for comment.
The government issued sub-decree No 38 in March establishing Bokor town, which consists of three communes – Boeung Touk, Koh Touch and Prek Thnaot.
With the creation of the new town, the National Election Committee (NEC) held an election on July 25 to elect the Bokor town council. NEC said voting was for the 17 council members of the three communes.
Four political parties – the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Cambodian Nationality Party, Cambodian Youth Party and Funcinpec – took part in the election, with the CPP winning all the 17 votes.
NEC said the election was monitored by political party agents, election observers and journalists to ensure accuracy and transparency. No ballot papers were invalid.
NEC said the election process proceeded smoothly and in accordance with the law, regulations and procedures, working calendar and standard letters. Election officials also implemented Covid-19 preventative measures at all polling stations.
