The National Election Committee (NEC) has extended the deadline for applications for national monitors of the June 5 commune council elections by three days to 5:30pm on May 28, following requests numerous organisations, its chief affirmed on May 26.

“A number of associations and NGOs have asked for the national monitor application [period] to be extended, specifying that they have not gotten everything ready for their monitors in the allotted time,” NEC chairman Prach Chan said.

Chan told the aforementioned organisations to quickly file in their applications to help ensure that the commune council elections in the fifth mandate are successful and transparent.

Meanwhile, the NEC asked owners of factories, hotels, restaurants, and other companies and institutions to allow staff members to cast their ballots on June 5.

In a letter dated May 27, the committee said that according to the Law on the Election of Commune/Sangkat Councils as well as the regulatory and procedural framework governing this year’s vote, people on the official 2021 voter list have the right to vote for their commune chiefs and council members.

The NEC highlighted its appeal to employers nationwide “to allow and make it easy for employees and workers to travel to vote on June 5 in their respective communes”.