Canada provides CAN$1 million for Cambodia's 2008 elections
Phnom Penh, 27 February 2008: The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) provided CAN$1 million today in grant support to Cambodia’s 2008 elections.
The contribution is in response to the Royal Government of Cambodia's (RGC) request for donor support for further capacity building of its electoral institutions and funding of the 2008 National Assembly elections. The funds will be channelled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to the National Election Committee (NEC) for the organization of 2008 elections. NEC will be primarily responsible for proper management of funds.
"Canada is committed to strengthening democracy and electoral processes in Cambodia," said Mr. Ernest Loignon, Chargé d'affaires of the Canadian Embassy in Cambodia. He added that supporting the 2008 National Assembly elections is one of three components of CIDA's ongoing CAN$4 million Elections Support Project in Cambodia, which included CAN$1 million in support of the 2007 Commune Council elections.
As requested by the RGC, UNDP is coordinating donor assistance for the 2008 National Assembly elections. In addition, UNDP is providing technical assistance to NEC through its multi-donor funded long-term capacity development project, to which CIDA is one of the principle donor partners.
"The goal of the multi-donor funded project is to support Cambodia's efforts to conduct free, fair and transparent, democratic elections. The project seeks to strengthen the capacity of Cambodia's electoral institutions and create an environment that facilitates free and fair elections at both national and local levels," said Jo Scheuer, UNDP Country Director.
Support for the 2008 National Assembly elections is based on a multi-donor appeal issued by the NEC and RGC for partial financing of the 2008 National Assembly elections, which will take place on 27 July 2008. The RGC will fund 60 percent of this budget, while the NEC together with the RGC have called for the international community to provide the remaining 40 percent, which amounts to approximately US$6.7 million.
"Canada is committed to strengthening democracy and electoral processes in Cambodia," said Mr. Ernest Loignon, Chargé d'affaires of the Canadian Embassy in Cambodia. He added that supporting the 2008 National Assembly elections is one of three components of CIDA's ongoing CAN$4 million Elections Support Project in Cambodia, which included CAN$1 million in support of the 2007 Commune Council elections.
As requested by the RGC, UNDP is coordinating donor assistance for the 2008 National Assembly elections. In addition, UNDP is providing technical assistance to NEC through its multi-donor funded long-term capacity development project, to which CIDA is one of the principle donor partners.
"The goal of the multi-donor funded project is to support Cambodia's efforts to conduct free, fair and transparent, democratic elections. The project seeks to strengthen the capacity of Cambodia's electoral institutions and create an environment that facilitates free and fair elections at both national and local levels," said Jo Scheuer, UNDP Country Director.
Support for the 2008 National Assembly elections is based on a multi-donor appeal issued by the NEC and RGC for partial financing of the 2008 National Assembly elections, which will take place on 27 July 2008. The RGC will fund 60 percent of this budget, while the NEC together with the RGC have called for the international community to provide the remaining 40 percent, which amounts to approximately US$6.7 million.
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- Related topics: Democratic Governance
Last updated: 20 August 2010
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