Incumbent NEC chief returned to top position

Long-serving secretary-general of the National Election Committee Tep Nytha, whose tenure has been marred by allegations of election fraud and ruling party bias, was yesterday reappointed to the position, despite the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party long calling for his removal.

The new nine-member NEC, overhauled last April to include four members appointed by each of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and the opposition CNRP and a ninth neutral member, chose Nytha, 61, over two other candidates short-listed for the publicly advertised position.

Announcing the decision at a press conference at the NEC office, NEC president Sik Bun Hok said the group – which had not interviewed at least one of the short-listed candidates – had followed correct procedure and reached a consensus.

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