Cambodia Election Body Urges Preparations for 2027 Local Elections

PHNOM PENH, Sept 25, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s National Election Committee (NEC) has urged political parties, stakeholders, and eligible citizens to actively prepare for the 2027 commune and sangkat council elections, stressing that participation must begin well before polling day. NEC president Prach Chan made the appeal Friday while opening a training and awareness session at the National Institute of Education. He said elections are not confined to the day ballots are cast, but are a process that begins with voter registration and continues through the announcement of results. The NEC will conduct its annual voter‑list review and registration from October 1 to November 30, covering communes and sangkats nationwide. The exercise will allow eligible citizens to register, including those who will turn 18 by election day in June 2027, and enable voters who have moved to a new commune or sangkat to update their details. Officials said biometric data will also be updated for citizens who registered in 2016 and 2017, while corrections can be made to inaccurate personal information. Prach Chan called for accurate and timely voter education, urging citizens to check their names and details and make necessary updates. The NEC emphasized that broad public awareness and participation are essential to ensuring the credibility of the electoral process. It has also called on political parties to mobilize responsibly and encourage their supporters to register. The 2027 commune and sangkat council elections will mark the sixth mandate of local councils since the system was introduced in 2002. The polls are seen as a key test of grassroots political participation and a precursor to the 2028 national elections.