The National Election Committee (NEC) is asking the Capital and Provincial Election Commission (CPEC) to cooperate with relevant parties to prepare security forces to protect and maintain public safety and social order during the upcoming Senate Elections.

On Friday, NEC said that they must strengthen cooperation with the Capital and Provincial Administrative Unity Command, with participation of the Capital and Provincial Police to deploy adequate forces during the election campaign to protect offices and polling stations.

The Secretariat of Election Security and CPEC must consult with the Secretariat of the Permanent Security Command for Elections and the Governors of the Capital and Provinces to organise local police forces, Military Police and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to protect voting locations and process of the Senate Election.

NEC stated that CPEC must monitor and exchange information on the general security situation and request interventions by competent forces, fire brigades or healthcare workers in case of any harassment, intimidation, fires or other threats that may hinder the election process.

Prach Chan, Chairman of the NEC, said that from now until the end of the election the NEC will request cooperation of the Governors to organise weekly joint meetings in person or online as needed to plan security work.

NEC Spokesman Hang Puthea said that the Senate Election will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 7.00am to 3.00pm.

He said political parties participating in the Senate Elections are the Cambodian People’s Party, the Khmer Will Party, the Nation Power Party and the Funcinpec Party.

He added that the Senate election is very important because senators have the key role of overseeing all legislation from the National Assembly for the benefit of society and the people of Cambodia as a whole.

The number of seats in the 5th Senate Election total 58 across eight regions. The total number of senate seats is 62, with two members nominated by the King and two more nominated by the National Assembly.

In November ,NEC announced that after polls close, ballot counting and announcement of provisional Senate Election results will take place at the polling stations.

NEC will also announce the preliminary results of the election online shortly after the election and ballot counting is finalised.

• Tags: National Election Committee, Senate polls