CPP village chiefs to stay put despite poll results

CPP-appointed village chiefs will remain in their positions despite changes to commune control following recent polls, the Interior Minister has said. Sar Kheng made the comments as he presided over the ceremony to appoint new Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng at City Hall on Wednesday.

He argued that village chiefs, deputies and representatives are not political appointments and must continue doing their jobs, even in communes where the opposition CNRP is now in power. Village chiefs and deputy village chiefs are appointed by commune councillors. Almost all are currently CPP supporters.

According to Mr Kheng, Interior Ministry rules from 2006 mean village chiefs can only be replaced when they resign of their own accord, die, or are proven to have made a mistake in office. In light of the June 4 elections, the CPP is now in charge of 1,156 of 1,646 communes nationwide. The CNRP won 489 commune chief positions, while the Khmer National United Party received one.

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