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The NEC Rejects Candle Light Party Candidates from Running in 11 Communes

PHNOM PENH: The National Election Committee has decided to reject a list of candidates from the Candlelight Party to contest in the upcoming Commune/District council elections due to a cited lack of qualifications.

The removal of the Candle Light party candidates from the running at the upcoming Commune/District council elections was classified by the NEC as “rejecting the list of candidates of the political party” for five communes, and “rejecting candidate registration” for six communes.

NEC Spokesman, Hang Puthea, confirmed to EAC News that where it is categorized as "rejecting the list of candidates of political parties" in a certain commune, the party as a whole is no longer eligible to run in the election for that commune. However, the other characterization of “rejecting candidate registration” only removes the names of the specific candidates from the running and still allows the part to run in the elections.

According to a press release issued on Monday, 4 April 2022, the NEC said that the decision to reject this list of candidates was due to the fact that the Candlelight Party was cheating with their choice of candidates, as some who were in the running cannot properly read or write in Khmer, faked their identities, did not fill out their declarations agreeing to stand for the elections in person, forging their fingerprints or signatures on their resumes, and failing to meet sufficient conditions in accordance with the laws, regulations and procedures and the time limit for the registration of candidates at the Commune/District Election Commission.

The press release states that the cancellation of the list of candidates from the Candlelight Party in 11 Commune/District council elections, is in accordance with Articles 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41 and 42 of the Commune/District Council Election Law.

EAC News was unable to contact the Acting Chairman and Spokesman of the Candlelight Party, Thach Setha, to request a comment on the removal of his party’s candidates from 11 communes in the upcoming elections.

The 5th Commune/District Council Elections will begin on 5 June 2022. According to the National Election Committee, a total of 17 parties have registered to run and vote.



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