On the morning of 25th September 2026, the National Election Committee (NEC) organized an Outreach Program on “The Importance of Elections in Cambodia” to the political parties, stakeholders, and the NEC officials at the National Institute of Education (NIE) under the high presidency of His Excellency Prach Chan, the NEC Chairman.
On that occasion, His Excellency Prach Chan delivered a lecture on “General Situation of Election Management Process in Cambodia and Important Tasks during the Conduct of Voter Lists Revision and Voter Registration 2026”, focusing on the significant of elections, the rights and obligations of voters, the election management process, Voter Lists Revision and Voter Registration 2026, and the roles of stakeholders in the electoral process.
His Excellency, the NEC Chairman said “In democratic practicing, election is the most important foundation that allows voters, the owners of each country's destiny, to exercise their will through voting to choose their preferred leader.”
His Excellency convinced while referring to “elections” regardless of the day that citizens go to the polling stations, grab ballot paper and mark to support the political parties on the ballot paper, because the election process has several ranging, from the voter lists revision and voter registration stage until the official proclamation of election result as determined by laws. Therefore, upstanding on the elections is a necessity for all citizens and stakeholders.
His Excellency emphasized that participation of citizens starts from understanding, such as whether they have voting rights, understanding how to use the required documents, and verify names in voter lists, voter registration locations, and polling stations, as well as understanding about maintaining means of secret voting. Thus, understanding prior to elections is as important as going to vote.
Regarding developments in election management in Cambodia, in the lecture, His Excellency Chairman, reminded us of the history of the conduct of election in Cambodia from the 1993 election until the organization of elections by the national institutions. After the election 1993, the Royal Government of Cambodia was ready for the conduct of Election of Members of the National Assembly, 2nd Legislature, 1998 by its own by establishing the Central Election Office in 1995 to conduct a study and develop a plan for the election. The Law on the Election of Members of the National Assembly had been enacted on 19th December 1997 and was promulgated on 26th December 1997. Afterwards, the NEC was established on 30th January 1998.
His Excellency Chairman informed, “From one election to another, the NEC has kept reforming gradually including legal, management, technical, operational, and security, safety frameworks until now, divided into the significant stages as follows:”
1-From 1998, after the election, the NEC always studied, researched, consolidated, and assessed the election, examined and received the recommendations to improve the election from the national and international stakeholders as well, and collaborated with the Royal Government to improve and reform the election to be better and more advanced in line with the law and the context of Cambodia and aligning with the international standards.
2-From 2015, Cambodia profoundly reformed the election on three important points such as legal frameworks, institutional framework and management the election technicalities, particularly reforming voter registration and voter lists.
For the Voter Lists Revision and Voter Registration 2026, during the speech of His Excellency Chairman confirmed, “Currently, the NEC is conducting Voter Lists Revision and Voter Registration 2026 for organizing the voter lists for the conduct of the Election of Commune/Sangkat Councils, 6th Mandate, 2027. This process commences from 7th October 2026 until 12th February 2027.” Additionally, voter lists revision and voter registration at Communes/Sangkat nationwide last 55 days and will be implemented on 7th October to 30th November 2026. The aim is to newly register to vote for the eligible Khmer citizen who have not been registered to vote, citizens just reached the age of 18 by the election day of Commune/Sangkat Election Councils, 6th Mandate, 2027, and the citizens who have moved their residence or temporary residence to a new Commune/Sangkat. This work includes updating the biometric data for the citizens who have been registered to vote in 2016 and 2017, adjusting the biographical data, recording and removing the names from the voter lists based on duly documents.
Through the election outreach program, His Excellency Chairman indicated, “The election outreach program is an integrate part to raise the awareness of the citizens and the stakeholders.” Disseminating the information on the election process shall be undertaken to ensure that it’s accurate, on time, professional and abided by the laws, regulations and procedures of the NEC and relevant codes of conduct.
Last but not least, His Excellency Prach Chan, called for all stakeholders to collaborate based on their duties in dissemination and to encourage the eligible citizens but he or she has not been registered to vote, those who have just reached the age of 18 and those who have moved to a residence or a temporary residence to a new Commune/Sangkat. Additionally, the citizens who have names in the voter lists shall go to verify their data and request for adjustments in case of any error, particularly those who have been registered to vote in 2016 and 2017 are invited to update their biometric data as determined by schedule.
