Like mind embassies provided reactions related to newly appointed National
Election Committee (NEC) chairman Prach Chan.
US embassy spokesman Arend Zwartjes said that the United States government
had stopped funding the National Election Committee in 2017 following the
arrest of political party leader Kem Sokha and the subsequent dissolution of
the CNRP. “We have consistently encouraged authorities to reopen civic and
political space and reverse democratic backsliding,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Japanese embassy stated that while the country had
not yet decided to give additional assistance ahead of the elections, Japan
had in the past provided assistance to the NEC by sending experts, providing
ballot boxes and organising staff training programs. “It is up to Cambodia
to decide its high officials and we refrain from commenting on its
decision,” the spokesperson said. “We hope that Mr. Chan will cooperate
closely with all the parties concerned for the sake of free and fair
elections.”
A spokesperson for the Australian embassy echoed the call for political
freedoms ahead of the upcoming elections.
“As a long-standing friend of Cambodia, Australia has urged the Royal
Government of Cambodia to allow free and open political debate,” they said.
“This includes the holding of genuinely competitive and impartial elections
in which all political parties, civil society organizations and media can
freely participate’.”
