PHNOM PENH: The United Nations (UN) is not involved in assisting, organizing or observing the 2022 Commune/District Council Elections due to no decision made by the organization or a written request for assistance received from the national authorities.

The UN in Cambodia posted on its Facebook page on Wednesday, 25 May, that the provision of UN electoral assistance can only be on the basis of (i) a decision of the Security Council or General Assembly establishing a mandate for the UN to provide electoral assistance; and/or (ii) a formal written request for electoral assistance from an appropriate national authority. It is then followed by an electoral needs assessment by the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). Approval of the Focal Point for Electoral Assistance Matters (Under-Secretary General of DPPA) is then needed before the UN System provides or makes project commitments on electoral assistance.

The United Nations states: Requests for electoral assistance must be made by the member state to the United Nations. Requests cannot be made by political parties, civil society or other organizations. Given the requirements above, there is currently no provision of UN electoral assistance in Cambodia.

Although no observers have been deployed, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights monitors the general human rights situation in Cambodia, and this work will continue during the election period.

The UN confirms that it will continue to closely monitor developments in Cambodia.

NEC spokesman, Hang Puthea, told EAC News that so far, the NEC has recognized more than 50,000 national observers while more than 10,000 are still in the process of being checked. After the inspection, the number of national observers could increase to nearly 70,000. However, he stated that while there are no international observers present, special guests from Japan, the European Union and Australia will come instead.

The 5th Commune / District Council Election will be held on 5 June, with 17 political parties taking part in total.