PHNOM PENH: The National Election Committee (NEC) is holding a public hearing today, July 27, at the NEC office to hear five complaints and cases regarding violations of the new election law which criminalizes discouraging people from voting, which includes spoiling one’s own ballot.

The five complaints that the NEC will review publicly are subject to objections to the decisions of the Kampong Cham, Pailin and Tbong Khmum Provincial Election Commissions regarding activities to guide and incite voters to invalidate or damage ballots during Sunday’s election.

The Trial Chamber is composed of NEC chairman Prach Chan, NEC deputy chairman Nuth Sokhom, and seven other members of the NEC.

NEC Secretary-General Tep Nytha confirmed at a press conference following the closing of the polls on July 21, that the NEC had convicted 21 people under the new law. The penalties for the offense include fines and stripping the convicted of their voting rights and their right to run for office in future elections. The law was passed earlier this month as a response to Cambodian People’s Party opponents calling for a boycott of the election after the NEC denied the Candlelight Party’s application to participate in the election due to insufficient paperwork.