NEC postpones training for officers
THE National Election Committee (NEC) has held off on training 510 officers who were selected in March to manage the city and provincial election work on contract, because the annual election registration for this year may be postponed due to Covid-19.
NEC spokesman Hang Puthea told The Post on Monday that the NEC had not yet been able to confirm a training schedule because it could be delayed until October.
“We are not sure yet. So if you ask me about the schedule, I cannot give you an answer as yet. Nobody can,” he said.
The selection of officials under contract was to handle the functions such as the registration for elections this year.
“First, we select them through examinations. After the selection, we have to train them, and once this is done, their training continues during the voter registration process,” he said.
Puthea said the prolonged training is essential for the
NEC to have access to qualified officials. Although the training procedure remains the same each year, some parts have been updated.
He said the responsibility of the NEC is to organise the regular process of voter registration and that officers on contract who were selected by the NEC are a complementary force to ensure good control of the annual registration list.
“Anyone who knows election processes will pass the examination. For those who do not have the listed capabilities, the NEC considers their experience, knowledge and responsibility in carrying out the work too,” he said.
The NEC has set up 13 sub-committees to conduct examinations at the city and provincial election secretariats, to recruit officers on contract, Puthea said.