Cambodian NEC Chief Briefs UN Human Rights Rapporteur on Electoral Process

Prach Chan, President of the National Election Committee (NEC) of Cambodia, briefed the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, emphasizing that elections in the country are divided into two major phases: voter registration and the actual voting. This briefing was conveyed in a press release issued by the NEC on July 29, 2026, following a working meeting between Mr. Chan and Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, held at the NEC headquarters on the morning of July 29, 2026. During the meeting, Mr. Chan provided an overview of Cambodia's electoral history. He noted that the first election in Cambodia was the 1993 Constituent Assembly election, organized by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). This Constituent Assembly drafted and adopted the Constitution, after which it transformed into the National Assembly, leading to the formation of the government. Mr. Chan further stated that since 1998, Cambodia has independently organized its elections, with the NEC responsible for managing both national and sub-national elections. In total, the NEC has organized 19 elections to date. He highlighted that past elections have generally been assessed by national and international circles as having been conducted freely, fairly, and justly. Notably, the 1998 election was described by election observers from the United States as an "miracle of the Mekong River." Concurrently, Mr. Chan briefed and compared the voter registration process in 1998, which was done manually, with the current computer-based registration system used to create the voter list. He explained that the voter list is updated annually. The number of registered voters has shown a steady increase; in 2022, it stood at 89.28% of those aged 18 and above. By 2025, the number of registered voters is expected to reach 90.50% of individuals aged 18 and above, totaling 10,162,232 people. Regarding preparations for upcoming elections, Mr. Chan stated that in 2026, the NEC is organizing the review and registration of voters to serve the 6th mandate of the commune/sangkat council elections. Concurrently, a draft of the orders and procedures for the election has been sent to stakeholders for their input. He also informed about the assistance provided by the Japanese government through JICA, which is operating voter education centers in three provincial election secretariats: Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, and Takeo. Additionally, JICA is providing technical assistance in the form of new server systems, with a total value of approximately $5.4 million USD for voter data management. In terms of engagement with other international parties, the NEC consistently receives and meets with various embassies and international organizations. The NEC is also a member of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) and the Network of Election Management Bodies of French-speaking countries (RECEF). Thomas Andrews expressed his gratitude for the detailed explanation provided by Mr. Prach Chan regarding the electoral process in Cambodia. He affirmed that he will continue to closely monitor the progress of democracy, elections, and human rights in Cambodia. By: Chim Nary © All rights reserved by National News Agency of Cambodia 2018