Show Evidence of Incidents: General
A senior Ministry of Interior official Wednesday called on political parties to provide evidence of campaign irregularities before accu
A senior Ministry of Interior official Wednesday called onpolitical parties to provide evidence of campaign irregularities beforeaccusing local authorities of violating election laws. "If there is no evidence, the person violating electionlaws cannot be punished," said Lt. Gen. Sak Setha, director general of theministry's department of administration. "Normally, politicians ofpolitical parties who issue statements always want to gain politicalbenefit." Investigations into alleged irregularities have not producedevidence that follows the accusations of some political parties, he said. Onlysmall irregularities have been found, he said. Sak Setha spoke to reporters at the closing ceremony of atraining period for 65 "master trainers" to promote a betterelectoral process and reduce election irregularities. The training was conducted through the UNDP and the Neutraland Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia. Themaster trainers are expected to train another 20,000 interested parties,including village chiefs, commune councilors, political parties, monks, andothers. Sam Rainsy Party Secretary-General Eng Chhay Ieng said hisparty always collects evidence prior to issuing statements of wrongdoing. On Monday, SRP Deputy Secretary-General Mu Sochua claimedshe had been involved in two serious incidents with Cambodian People's Partyofficials, including a physical altercation in Kampot province, where she is aparliamentary candidate.