Political Parties Told to Submit Leaders’ Profiles

The Interior Ministry on Wednesday reminded all political parties of their obligations under new legislation to resubmit their leaders’ profiles by June 4, the day of the country’s commune elections.

Amendments to the Law of Political Parties, which took effect on March 8, require existing parties to submit biographies and CVs of their presidents, deputy presidents and steering committee members.

Though the specific article does not set a deadline, Wednesday’s announcement from the ministry also mentions Article 48, which gives parties 90 days to fulfill “legislative procedures.”

“Until now no political party that has already been formed and registered at the Interior Ministry has come to fulfill the procedures,” the statement says.

Sok Eysan, spokesman for the ruling CPP, said his party would submit its profiles “as soon as possible.”

Eng Chhay Eang, a lawmaker for the CNRP, the CPP’s main rival, said his party would be doing the same.

Other amendments to the Political Party Law have been highly controversial, giving the government and courts new powers to indefinitely suspend or dissolve whole parties over vaguely worded infractions.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has said he sought the changes specifically to target the CNRP.

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