NEC's IM Xuoxdey: Phang Mifan, Kang Tong and Kang Seng are perfect Xmer names and they can legally vote (sic!)

The National Election Commission met yesterday to hear a complaint over illegal migrants being listed on voter rolls. (Photo by: Pha Lina)
NEC dismisses vote-list deceit case

Friday, 05 November 2010
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

THE National Election Committee ruled yesterday that three people accused of being illegal Vietnamese immigrants have the right to vote, rejecting a complaint from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party their names were fraudulently placed on voter lists.

In a two-hour hearing at NEC headquarters, Tep Chan Sokheya, an SRP councilor in Prampi Makara district, said the three – named as Phang Mifan, Kang Tong and Kang Seng – were placed on voter lists despite being illegal migrants.

She alleged the trio had rented a house from her for around 10 years, during which time they spoke Vietnamese among themselves.

“At that time, I knew that their family was Vietnamese,” Tep Chan Sokheya told the NEC. “I then told the commune chief not to allow them to register to vote.” Their names were registered on the electoral roll in 2006, she added.