Political parties law moves ahead
Ruling party members on the National Assembly’s Permanent Committee approved several proposed amendments to the law on political parties on February 13 despite strong requests for a delay from the opposition. The bill will now be reviewed and studied by the commission of legislation and justice within the NA as well as the interior, defense and civil service ministries. The legislation amends 27 articles and adds five new ones, addressing penalties that can be levied against political parties. Yem Ponhearith, the opposition CNRP spokesperson, said during a press conference on February 13 that his party wanted the Permanent Committee to postpone or suspend the amendment process to make time for further studies into the effects the law may have on social realities, citizen confidence in the judicial system and the upcoming commune council elections.
