The National Election Committee is threatening legal action against two people who have not paid fines levied against them during the run-up to the July 27th general elections, NEC Legal Service Department Director Keo Phalla said Thursday.
CPP member Chheoun Sina, of Trapaing Reng village in Kompong Cham province, was fined 5 million riel (about $1,250) for allegedly beating Funcinpec activists at a campaign rally.
Meng Ritha, senator and deputy secretary-general for the Sam Rainsy Party, incurred a similar fine after being accused by Kep Third Deputy Governor Sam Sarin of disturbing a CPP rally.
The deadline for payment is Nov 30, Keo Phalla said; if Meng Ritha and Chheoun Sina do not pay their fines by Dec 30, the NEC will file complaints against them in court.
“[Chheoun Sina] is not rich; I don’t know if he has the money to pay the fine,” said Kompong Cham Provincial Election Committee Deputy Director Mang Meng Houn. It is likely that CPP officials in the district will figure out a way to assist him, Mang Meng Houn added.
Meng Ritha, on the other hand, maintains his innocence. “I won’t pay the fine because I am not wrong,” he said Thursday. He also said he would appear if the NEC summons him to court.
A third person, Kampong Prahok village Chief Phnom Chan, who was fined 5 million riel for using the wake of his river boat to swamp the craft of Funcinpec officials who were traveling by river in Battambang province, paid the fine last week, Keo Phalla said.
