CPP Files Complaint Over Royal Portraits
CPP officials said the hanging of portraits near campaign material was a breach of regulations. (11 July 2008)
Cambodian People's Party district political officials issueda campaign complaint Tuesday over the display of the royal portraits outside aNorodom Ranariddh Party headquarters. CPP representative Nuon Nho filed the complaint at thecommune election committee, or CEC, for Or Cha commune, Battambang district,Battambang province, alleging the violation of a code of conduct by the NorodomRanariddh Party. The party has hung the portraits of former king NorodomSihanouk, former queen Norodom Monineath and King Norodom Sihamoni outside itsprovincial headquarters, which is a violation of the election law, according tothe complaint. NRP deputy chief of Battambang Sat Vichheka said Friday heknows the election law well, but the portraits have been displayed since 2007. "These portraits have been displayed in front of theNRP office for worship, for respect of the king's institution, not for theelection campaign," he said. "The NRP does not display theseportraits in its leaflets and other election documents." CEC chief Prak Saphal said he invited NRP representatives toattend a meeting to resolve the problem Saturday. "We'll know the result tomorrow," he said. Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free andFair Elections, said a display in front of the party office "forworship" is not a violation of election law. If the portraits are displayed in documents for thecampaign, such as leaflets or car billboards, it is a violation of regulations,he said. Nuon Nho could not be reached for comment. Battambang District Governor Uy Ry, of the CPP, said thedisplay of the portraits was an election activity, because the photos aredisplayed on the NRP gates, outside, not inside the office. Below the portraits are many leaflets posted about thecampaign, he said. In Phnom Penh,meanwhile, CPP coalition partner Funcinpec has displayed outside its nationalheadquarters large portraits of Sihanouk and Monineath. The national office ofthe Norodom Ranariddh Party also displays portraits of the three royals.