Election Groups Warn of Lack of Funds

Election monitors have received less donor funding for their activities ahead of July's polls than in elections past, officials said this week.

The independent monitors collect evidence of electoral fraud, reduce tension when there is conflict and are an important part of the voting process, said Koul Panha, director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections.

But these groups are under-funded ahead of this year's national election, he said.

Puthea Hang, director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia, said donors were not paying as much attention to this election as they have others.