The Candlelight Party in Kampong Thom province filed a police complaint against a ruling party member for allegedly destroying a party banner in Stong district.
The party filed the complaint on February 6 to Stong district police, alleging that Chhay Cheng, a Cambodian People’s Party member, had dismantled their party billboard in Krasang village on the afternoon of February 5. The complaint asked for the billboard to be returned and legal action to be initiated against Cheng.
“Please take immediate action to search for the Candlelight Party banner in order to return it to the party and bring the perpetrator to justice in accordance with the law,” the complaint reads.
Stong district police chief Yang Sam said he had received the complaint from the Candlelight Party but that this was a political case and he must wait for directions on how to proceed from his superiors.
“I have not yet said how I will handle it because we work with a boss. We have to consult the leader. This is not a criminal case, it is related to politics; we must be careful,” he said.
Candlelight Party spokesperson Kimsour Phirith said that when a member of the ruling party makes a mistake legal action is often slow and officials say they have to wait for orders or delay action indefinitely.
“First of all, at least call the perpetrator to warn him to stop, as well as to show others who are going to do it that regardless of their party, the law is the law,” he said.
National Election Committee spokesperson Hang Puthea said he was unaware of the case and that the stealing of party banners was not within the NEC’s jurisdiction.
Election watchdog Nicfec executive director Sam Kuntheamy said it was illegal for CPP members to remove the Candlelight’s banner, so the relevant authorities must take legal action.
“Removing the banner is wrong and destroying the property of other people is wrong. The police should deal with it,” he said.
