2019 Annual Narrative Report COMFREL
April 2020 Table of Content
I. Executive Summary ------01
II. About COMFREL ------03
III. Completed Activities during this period ------04
IV. Staff Capacity and Organizational Development ------17
V. Summary of Financial Statement ------18
I. Executive Summary
uring the 2019 period, COMFREL, its staff During the radio program broadcasting, members, its board members, and member COMFREL was live on Facebook for two times D organizations at all levels carried out activities per day. They got 910,003 views, 37,852 Likes, based on the project title in COMFREL’s annual 13,726 shares and 1,298 comments. After work. COMFREL has achieved the following: broadcasting and uploading to the website, there were 25,415 downloads of the radio programs Program 1. Education for Democracy and from COMFREL’s website. COMFREL radio Elections Program program was included in the RadioKhmer app for To create an opportunity for people to learn smartphone access. about the principles of democracy and genuine In addition to radio programming, COMFREL elections and to discuss the recommendations has a Facebook page to disseminate information regarding genuine elections, at least seven debates regarding society, politics, and economics. There were organized on the topic of “Principles of were 4,736 articles on democracy, elections, and Democracy and Genuine Elections” in seven good governance released, 8 press releases and 21 provinces including Battambong, Kandal, Siem video animation spots (4 videos regarding gender Reap, Banteay Meachey, Kompot, Kampong equality produced and uploaded on COMFREL’s Chnang, and Kampong Cham province. The Facebook page. 21 Video animation spots got debates were attended by 460 participants (230 165,491 views, 10,785 likes, 3,502 shares and 340 female) ranging from university students, CSOs, comments. At least 62 articles were written about in its network, farmers and community people. COMFREL’s work by media including RFA, To find the participants for the debates, VOA, and VOD News. There were 37,079 page COMFREL cooperated with other CSOs views of COMFREL’s website including PDP, YRDP, ADHOC, CPO, www.COMFREL.org, and 2,171 page views of CEDAW, CWCD, Khmer Kampuchea Krom COMFREL’s Election Campaign Website (KKK), AEC, KYA and the communities. The “CVV”. COMFREL’s Facebook page reached participants learned more about the principle of 27,186 ‘likes’. 52 electoral digest segments were democracy and genuine elections and also released to its network through the mailing list. understood their role in a democratic society. COMFREL also produced at least 7 video clips There were 125 recommendations regarding on “Principle of Democracy and Genuine elections collected from the participants. These Elections”. debates were videotaped for VOC radio programming. At least 8 online surveys were conducted through COMFREL Facebook page to assess the quality 365 (227 live and 138 rebroadcast) sessions of of its radio program, satisfaction on COMFREL “VOC” radio programs were hosted with a total video animation, the importance of radio of 431 speakers (24% female), facilitating program, the importance of women’s outreach and public awareness on a multitude of participation in politics and decision-making level, issues. Also, 383 people (4.17% female) called demanding the restoration of pluralistic into the program to express opinions, make democracy in Cambodia today, and demanding requests, and direct questions to the speakers. COMFREL Annual Narrative Report 2019 Page 1 the restoration of a free and fair election in RoCK, Focus on the Global South, and The Cambodia. These online surveys were responded Messenger Band organized an event called “My to by 1,911 people/accounts that provided Body, My Choice! Together To End All Forms of answers to the questions. Violence” at The Factory Phnom Penh. The Program 2: Strengthening Genuine objective was to build public awareness on all Democratic Elections Program forms of violence, to call for an end to all forms of violence, and to be reminded of the struggle of During the reporting period, COMFREL had 14 women from different sectors. meetings with key stakeholders including the NEC, ambassadors, CSOs and MoI. These At least 52 sessions (25 live and 27 rebroadcast) meetings were conducted to advocate for legal of the “Women Can Do it” radio program were reform, solicit support from key stakeholders, and hosted on FM 105, and 39 speakers (30 female) discuss LANGO and make revisions for facilitated. 77 (6 female) people called-in to recommendation to the government. express their opinions, ask questions to the speakers, and make requests to the government. At least 6 training sessions were conducted on This unit produced 4 video animation spots to ‘Voter List Auditing in 2019’ in 6 provinces; mainstream gender equality and women's Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Chhang, Kompot, participation in politics. These videos were Kandal, Rattanakiri and Prey Veng. Sessions were uploaded on the COMFREL Facebook page. attended by 69 participants (23 female) including COMFREL provincial secretaries and observers. 2018 annual report on Gender Political Watch Participants were trained on voter list audition “Women's Political Empowerment and Elections method (list-to-person (L2P), the query format, for the Sixth Mandate of the National Assembly how to send information and how to conduct for 2018” was produced and uploaded on the interviews with target group representatives to website. collect reliable data. COMFREL staff is in the Program 4. Democratic Governance Reform process of compiling the report on the voter list Program audit. 2018 annual reports on Government Watch and Program 3. Women’s Empowerment in Parliamentary Watch were produced and Politics Program uploaded on the website. During the reporting period, the Education and Program 5: Organizational Capacity Gender Unit finished their study of articles on Development Program Law on Elections of Members of the National 6 monthly meetings, weekly meetings of each unit Assembly (LEMNA) and Law on Elections of and weekly management team meetings (Excom), Members of the Commune Council (LEMCC) to two board of director’s meetings, and a mid-term ensure gender equality for NA and CC candidates review were conducted to share updates, following the Constitution in Cambodia. coordinate work, set a plan, review the work plan However, the unit still analysing the relevant law and strategy, and to assess achievements of from other countries. project implementation. COMFREL staff in cooperation with SACD, GADC, SILAKA, WIC, WNU, WPM, CCHR,
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II. About COMFREL
1. Vision and fair elections by providing information on electoral rights, monitoring reports and building a A democratic society that brings benefits to citizens. comprehensive assessment with up-to-date 2. Mission recommendations. COMFREL, as a neutral non-governmental To develop the voice of voters to hold elected officials organization, empowers Cambodian citizens to accountable. exercise their rights in politics and decision-making, To strengthen gender equality by increasing through civic education, and constructive engagement understanding among women and men, and enhancing with government and elected officials, for policy the capacity of female local elected officials and reforms, free and fair elections, and increased activists. accountabilities in service delivery. Internal Organization: 3. Program objectives To ensure the effectiveness of the proposed program External Organization: activities, COMFREL build staff capacity, and To strengthen civil society’s input based on strengthen its organizational development. stakeholder consultation and studies for better laws, COMFREL has an 11 board committee. procedures and policies in keeping with democratic and human rights commitments and principles. To create an informed and favourable climate for free
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III. Completed Activities
Program 1. Education for Democracy and Elections” held in Kandal province to give a Elections Program chance to participants to learn about the 1.1 Debates on Democratic Rights and Civic principles of democracy and genuine elections, Duties discuss the recommendations regarding genuine elections in order to submit to the government, There were seven debates conducted in political parties, CSOs and other relevant provinces: stakeholders. It was attended by 34 participants On 28 November 2019, COMFREL organized a (16 female) from university students, CSOs, its debate on “Principle of Democracy and Genuine network, farmers and community people. The Elections” held in Kampong Cham province to participants understood the principle of give a chance to participants to learn about the democracy and genuine election and also principles of democracy and genuine elections, understood their role in a democratic society. discuss the recommendations regarding genuine There were 8 recommendations regarding elections in order to submit to the government, elections collected from the participants. This political parties, CSOs and other relevant debate was taken a video to serve for VOC radio stakeholders. It was attended by 76 participants program. (41 female) from university students, CSOs, its On 22 August 2019, COMFREL organized a network, farmers and community people. The debate on “Principle of Democracy and Genuine participants understood the principle of Elections” held in Siem Reap province to give a democracy and genuine election and also chance to participants to learn about the understood their role in democratic society. There principles of democracy and genuine elections, were 28 recommendations regarding elections discuss the recommendations regarding genuine collected from the participants. This debate was elections in order to submit to the government, taken a video to serve for VOC radio program. political parties, CSOs and other relevant On 17 October 2019, COMFREL organized a stakeholders. It was attended by 56 participants debate on “Principle of Democracy and Genuine (18 female) from university students, CSOs, its Elections” held in Battambong province to give a network, farmers and community people. The chance to participants to learn about the participants understood the principle of principles of democracy and genuine elections, democracy and genuine election and also discuss the recommendations regarding genuine understood their role in a democratic society. elections in order to submit to the government, There were 12 recommendations regarding political parties, CSOs and other relevant elections collected from the participants. This stakeholders. It was attended by 75 participants debate was taken a video to serve for VOC radio (28 female) from university students, CSOs, its program. network, farmers and community people. The On 26 June 2019, COMFREL organized a debate participants understood the principle of on “Principle of Democracy and Genuine democracy and genuine election and also Elections” held in Banteay Meachey province to understood their role in democratic society. There give a chance to participants to learn about the were 20 recommendations regarding elections principles of democracy and genuine elections, collected from the participants. This debate was discuss the recommendations regarding genuine taken a video to serve for VOC radio program. elections in order to submit to the government, On 20 September 2019, COMFREL organized a political parties, CSOs and other relevant debate on “Principle of Democracy and Genuine stakeholders. It was attended by 75 participants
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(45 female) from university students, CSOs, its a democratic society. There were 18 network, farmers and community people. The recommendations regarding elections collected participants understood the principle of from the participants. This debate videotaped for democracy and genuine election and also VOC radio programing. understood their role in a democratic society. On 07 April 2019, COMFREL organized a debate There were 16 recommendations regarding on “Principle of Democracy and Genuine elections collected from the participants. This Elections” held in Kampong Chnang province to debate was taken a video to serve for VOC radio give participants a chance to learn about the program. principles of democracy and genuine elections On 01 May 2019, COMFREL organized a debate and to discuss the recommendations regarding on “Principle of Democracy and Genuine genuine elections in order to submit to them to Elections” held in Kompot province to give the government, political parties, CSOs and other participants a chance to learn about the principles relevant stakeholders. It was attended by 65 of democracy and genuine elections, discuss the participants (32 female) from university students, recommendations regarding genuine elections in CSOs, its network, farmers and community order to submit to the government, political people. The participants understood the principle parties, CSOs and other relevant stakeholders. It of democracy and genuine election and also was attended by 79 participants (50 female) from understood their role in a democratic society. university students, CSOs, its network, farmers There were 23 recommendations regarding and community people. The participants elections collected from the participants. This understood the principle of democracy and debate was videotaped for VOC radio genuine election and also understood their role in programing.
Debates on “Principle of Democracy and Genuine Elections” were held in some provinces
1.2 Broadcast Radio Program Tuesday : Congress, Government and Governance Radio Broadcasts Wednesday : Human Rights and Democracy COMFREL media unit activities are as follows: Thursday : Women Can Do It Live broadcasting of COMFREL’s radio programme the Voice of Civil Society (VoC) Friday : Weekly Watch via FM105 Radio station ensued every day from 7:30 to 8:30 am, Monday to Friday. Saturday : To go to vote or not The Voice of Civil Society consists of daily Sunday : Re-broadcast of Kloam Meul programmes on differing topics: Prarcham Sapada (Weekly Watch) and Youth Public Forum. Monday : Voter’s Voice The total number of aired live and rebroadcast radio programs during this period was 365 (230 COMFREL Annual Narrative Report 2019 Page 5 live and 135 rebroadcast). The table below shows (shorturl.at/aGWX0). The radio program is also the number of times VoC programs were in cooperation with ADHOC in “Human Right” broadcast, both live and re-broadcast, each radio program and Multi-sectors organization in month, via FM 105 station in Phnom Penh. Here “Multi-sectors” radio program is a list of the topic of the radio program
Daily radio programmes broadcast on FM105 radio station.
Sub Total Live Re-br.1 Voter Voice 42 10 Congress, Government and Governance 31 22 Human Rights and Democracy 40 12 Women Can Do It 25 27 Weekly Watch 27 25 To Go Or Not to Go 44 8 Sunday 18 34 TOTAL 227 138
The VoC Programme table and broadcast stations:
Speakers Organizers/ No. of Callers Radio Facilitators N Location No. of Broadcasts/Live Hours /Discussants Station CSOs BoD F M F M F M F M Re-Broadcast Live 104 322 0 5 98 123 16 367 138 227 1 FM 105 PNH 365 Hrs Times Times Siem 2 FM 95.5 Reap PNH 3 FM 91.5 Penh
77 104 181 426 5 221 383 Total Times Times Hours Persons Persons Persons Callers
1 Re-br. is an abbreviation of Rebroadcast.
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COMFREL Radio programs are broadcasted every day from 7:30 to 8:30 am
During broadcasting the radio program, COMFREL also live in its Facebook page twice per day. They got 910,003 views, 37,852 Likes, News. 13,726 shares and 1,298 comments. Within the 1.3 Education for democracy and elections reporting period, there were 25,415 downloads through social media of the radio programs from COMFREL’s In addition to the radio program, COMFREL website including 5,141 downloads from has a Facebook page to disseminate “Voter’s Voice”, 3,816 from “Congress, information regarding society, politics and Government and Governance”, 4,650 from economics. There were 4,736 articles on “Human Rights and Democracy”, 3,062 from democracy, elections and good governance “Women Can Do It”, 3,280 from “Weekly released and 21 video animation spots (4 video Watch” and 5,466 from “To Go to Vote or regarding gender equality) produced and Not”. There were 37,079 page views of uploaded on COMFREL its Facebook page. 21 COMFREL’s website www.COMFREL.org, Video animation spots got 165,491 views, and 2,171 page views of COMFREL’s Election 10,785 likes, 3,502 shares and 340 comments. Campaign Website “CVV”. COMFREL’s 52 electoral digest was released to its network Facebook page reached 27,186 ‘likes’. At least through the mailing list. COMFREL also 62 articles were written about COMFREL’s produced at least 7 video clips on “Principle of work by media including RFA, VOA and VOD Democracy and Genuine Elections”.
COMFREL Facebook page releases news/articles every day for the public
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Video animation spots were produced by COMFREL staff to educate the people
1.4 Online survey on the key issues that interest and the Saturday program called “Multi-Sector” the general public was the lowest-ranked because the topics were COMFREL conducted 8 online surveys during not of interest. the reporting period: On 14th-20th July 2019: COMFREL conducted In April 2019: COMFREL conducted an online an online survey on ‘Are people satisfied with survey on quality and effectiveness of COMFREL video animation spots?’ on its COMFREL radio programing with 5 questions Facebook page. There were 146 responses. 140 including “Have you ever listened to VOC people/accounts (96%) indicated they were radio program?”, “If you have ever listened, ‘satisfied’ with COMFREL video animations which program have you listened to?”, “What and 6 people/accounts (4%) were not satisfied made you satisfied with the program”, “How with them. important was each program to you?” and On 21st-27th July 2019: COMFREL conducted “What comments do you have for an online survey on The survey ‘importance of improvements?”. It was attended by 45 video animation spot’ had 156 responses. 149 people/accounts in the survey. As a result, people/account users (95%) indicated video 77.78% of people/accounts have listened to animation spots were ‘important’, and 7 COMFREL radio programs. Monday program people/account users (5%) indicated they were called “Voter Voice” was a top choice in the list not important. because they were interested in topics discussed
On 26th October-01th November 2019: COMFREL conducted an online survey on “Do you satisfy the VOC radio program?” on its Facebook page. There were 167 responses. 161 people/account users (96%) indicated satisfaction on COMFREL radio program and 6 people/account users (4%) indicated they didn’t satisfy.
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On 02th-07 November 2019: COMFREL COMFREL staff participated in an NEC conducted an online survey on “Do you think meeting at the NEC office to sum up events on whether the VOC radio program is important the election campaign, election process, voter or not?” on its Facebook page. There were 156 ballot counting, and disclose the result of the responses. 148 people/account users (95%) election campaign of Capital, indicated importance of program for people provincial/municipal and district/Khan and 8 people/account users (5%) indicated they councils of 3nd mandate. As a result, the didn’t satisfy. election process was conducted smoothly. The On 03th-09th December 2019: COMFREL election result would be prepared to conducted an online survey on “Do you disseminate through the national television of demand the restoration of pluralistic democracy Cambodia. On 30 April 2019, COMFREL staff in Cambodia today?” on its Facebook page. participated in a NEC’s meeting on There were 777 responses on this question. 752 Commencing Voter Lists Revision and Voter people/account users (97%) indicated Registration at Commune/Sangkat and Voter demanding the restoration of pluralistic Registration Procedure at Commune/Sangkat democracy in Cambodia today and only 25 and Data Transfer to PEC. On 25 April 2019, people/account users (3%) indicated they COMFREL staff participated in a NEC’s didn’t demand. meeting on the dissemination of Calendar of Voter List Revision and Voter Registration On 10th December 2019: COMFREL 2019 and Estimated Record Number of conducted an online survey on “Do you Citizens and Polling station took place at the demand the restoration of a free and fair Conference Hall of the NEC headquarter. election in Cambodia?” on its Facebook page. According to the estimated record of the There were 346 responses on this question. 335 number of the citizen, 10,178,809 people are at people/account users (97%) indicated least 18 years old and NEC was plaining to demanding the restoration of a free and fair register 372,628 new voters while the name of election in Cambodia and only 11 88,628 people would be removed from voter people/account users (3%) indicated they lists. These names were already on the 2018 didn’t demand. voter list and in polling stations in 2019. On 17th-23 December 2019: COMFREL On 26 June 2019, COMFREL staff participated conducted an online survey on “Do you think in a meeting with the Learning Forum for whether the women’s participation in politics Peace and Development (LFPD) team at the and decision making level is important or not” office of Unite Home. The objective was to talk about building the capacity of the network and on its Facebook page. There were 161 unite activities of CSOs in the future. As a responses. 161 people/account users (99%) result of the meeting, all participants supported indicated the importance of women’s the review of LAGNGO. On 07 June 2019, participation and 1 people/account users (1%) COMFREL staff organized a meeting with indicated they didn’t satisfy. CCC at COMFREL headquarter office. This meeting reviewed LANGO law in order to find Program 2: Strengthening Genuine Democratic possible recommendations to advocate future Elections Program amendments to the government. 2.1 Advocacy As the result of this meeting, COMFREL On 27 June 2019, COMFREL staff participated would be responsible for reviewing LANGO in NEC meeting at the NEC office to discuss law. On 14 June 2019, there was a meeting with the display of a primary voter list to give an CHRAC and ADHOC staff at ADHOC office opportunity for eligible voters to check and to talk about LANGO advocacy. On 4th-5th verify their names. As a result, there were September 2019, COMFREL had a meeting 102,180 new registrations. 37,904 names were with CSOs groups including YRDP, PDP removed from voter lists, 1,913 names were Centre, ADHOC and independent legal reviewed and verified and 17,568 people experts, aimed at reviewing the draft Law on changed the address. On 24 May 2019, Associations and Non-Governmental COMFREL Annual Narrative Report 2019 Page 9
Organizations Official analysis and the team, the association and the organization recommendations. On 9th September 2019, has been to CHRAC to prepare the letter and COMFREL sent a letter to the Ministry of to direct the team to meet the state body Interior in conjunction with the regarding the summoning of the spokesman's recommendations and analysis of the Law on body. On 18 September 2019, COMFREL staff Associations, Non-Governmental attended a meeting held by the CCC on the Organizations (NGOs) as well as the list of formation of working groups to talk about Associations and Organizations that supported LANGOs. On 02 December 2019: COMFREL them. On September 16th, COMFREL had a staff had a meeting with CCC, NGO Forum meeting with the President of the Association and API/CPDD to collect the and Civil Society, Storm Tiv, at OHCHR. The recommendations regarding law on Association meeting focused on the procedure for and Non-profit Organization. As a result, the recommending and analyzing LANGO issue. findings would be sent to the Ministry of On 17 September 2019, COMFREL staff had a Interior. COMFREL staff had a meeting with meeting with a group of associations and civil UNOHCHR to update the political situation in society organizations. During the meeting, there Cambodia. On that day, COMFREL staff were four agendas: 1/political status and updated the political situation and its work activities related to LANGO; The end result of activities including advocacy on LANGO.
Activities of discussion about LANGO with key stakeholders On 18 April 2019, COMFREL participated in capital/provincial Municipal/District/Khan an NEC’s meeting on official results of constituencies political Parties 3. FUNCINPEC party standing for 12 registration of political parties and candidate Capital/Provincial Constituencies, Standing for lists standing for the council election in 3rd 71 Municipal/District/Khan constituencies Mandate 2019. After PEC of 25 political parties and standing for 83 provinces/capital received the official result of capital/provincial Municipal/District/Khan the registration of political parties and constituencies political Parties 4. Khmer National United Party standing for 11 candidate lists in 25 constituencies and Capital/Provincial Constituencies, Standing for Municipal/District/Khan councils of 203 54 Municipal/District/Khan constituencies constituencies, the NEC consolidated the political parties and standing for 65 number of constituencies and political parties capital/provincial Municipal/District/Khan registered and produced a result as follow: constituencies political Parties 5. Cambodian Youth Party standing for 11 1. Cambodian People’s Party standing for 25 Capital/Provincial Constituencies, Standing for Capital/Provincial Constituencies, Standing for 23 Municipal/District/Khan constituencies 203 Municipal/District/Khan constituencies political parties and standing for 33 political parties and standing for 228 capital/provincial Municipal/District/Khan capital/provincial Municipal/District/Khan constituencies political Parties constituencies political Parties 6. Khmer Will Party standing for 16 2. Cambodian National Party standing for 25 Capital/Provincial Constituencies, Standing for Capital/Provincial Constituencies, Standing for 1 Municipal/District/Khan constituencies 109 Municipal/District/Khan constituencies political parties and standing for 17 political parties and standing for 134 capital/provincial Municipal/District/Khan constituencies political Parties COMFREL Annual Narrative Report 2019 Page 10
7. Khmer Republican Party standing for 1 the conduct of the election of Capital, Capital/Provincial Constituencies, Standing for Provincial, Municipal, District and Khan 1 Municipal/District/Khan constituencies political parties and standing for 2 Councils, so-called “The Council Election” in capital/provincial Municipal/District/Khan the 3rd mandate 2019. The objective was to constituencies political Parties ensure a successful council’s election. NEC, On 29 March 2019, COMFREL staff political parties, and concerned authorities would attentively undertake their roles and participated in an NEC meeting on the duties at all stages of the election by complying dissemination of the calendar of voter list with the code of conduct firmly. The primary revisions and voter registration 2019 and the states of the election are as follows: 1) Voter estimated record number of citizens and polling Registration: According to NEC Calendar, it stations. This meeting took place at the starts from 4th to 27th March 2019. Voter for Conference Hall of the NEC. NEC’s disclosure the Council Election are members of the noted that according to the estimated record of Commune/Sangkat Councils in the current the number of citizens, 10,178,809 people are at position, accounted for 11,572 members in least 18 years old and the NEC is planning to total across the country. The registration would register 372,628 new voters while the names of be carried out in the form of recording names 88,628 people will be removed from voter lists. in Communes/Sankat, and sending the names The number of persons whose names appear of the records to NEC hierarchal 2) Registration of Political Parties and Candidate on the 2018 voter list is 8,544,885 and there are List Standing for the Election: It is undertaken 23,364 polling stations in 2019. for only 5 days from 7th to 11th March 2019. On 18 March 2019, COMFREL staff The political party that is registered in participated in a NEC meeting on registration accordance with the Law on Political Parties at of political Parties and Candidate Lists Standing the Ministry of Interior, has the right to register for the Election and Filing and Resolving its political party and the lists of candidates Complaints Regarding Registration of Political standing for the Councils Election 3) Election Campaign is from 17th to 24 May 2019. It lasts Parties and Candidate Lists Standing for the 8 days which has been shortened as the Election at the conference hall of the NEC campaign period of 1st mandate and 2th headquarters. Participants of the meeting mandated standing for the Councils Election included representatives of the Constitutional was 15 days, 4) Polling, ballot counting and Council, representatives of the senate and the election result consolidation and 5) NA, line Ministries, representatives of political Announcement of the result. This meeting also parties, representatives of local and indicated numbers related to the Councils international NGOs, representatives of Election in the 3rd mandate 2019 is Councils Embassy of Japan and national and Election would be held on 26 May 2019 with international journalists. 1646 Communes/Sankats of 203 municipalities/district/Khan of 25 On 10 January 2019, COMFREL staff capital/province. participated in a NEC meeting on kick-off of
Activities of meeting with the NEC
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2.2 Monitoring and Auditing Voter observers. Participants learnt how to find Registration/Voter people by way of a list-to-person (L2P) COMFREL conducted 6 training sessions on method, explaining the query format, how to ‘Voter List Auditing in 2019’. Sessions were send information and how to conduct held in 6 provinces; Banteay Meanchey, interviews with target group representatives to Kampong Chhang, Kompot, Kandal, collect reliable data. COMFREL staff is in Rattanakiri and Prey Veng. Sessions were process of compiling the report on voter list attended by 69 participants (23 female) audition. including COMFREL provincial secretaries and
Activities of training on ‘Voter List Auditing in 2019’ in some provinces
Program 3. Women’s Empowerment in Politics and Malaysia” at Henrich Boll Foundation Program (HBF) Office. The main purpose of the 3.1. Campaigning and Lobbying to Demand for discussion was to share and discuss the issues Gender Equality of human trafficking and migration, not only in how lives of those people are terrible, but also Education and Gender Unit finished studying how dirty interest, politics, greed and power existing articles of Law on Elections of play in using the victims/survivors live as their Members of the National Assembly (LEMNA) source of gain, joy and pride. and Law on Elections of Members of the Commune Council (LEMCC) to ensure the 16th September 2019: COMFREL staff gender equality as NA and CC candidates in attended a consultation workshop on “A Final accord with the Constitution in Cambodia. Draft of CEDAW Shadow Report” at Samnang Laor hotel. This workshop more focused on On 13th December 2019: COMFREL attended talk and ask the questions related to a final draft a consultation meeting on the Draft of National of CEDAW shadow report. Policy on Gender Equality. The purpose was to gather the important inputs from partner On 30th August 2019: COMFREL staff was organizations and civil society to document the attended the 3rd quarterly technical working draft national policy comprehensive and could group meeting on “Women in leadership and be implemented effectively specifically to good governance” at the office of the Ministry responded and considered the needs and of Women's Affairs. The main objective was to measures of all stakeholders. review and reflect on previous activities, provide information on Joint Monitoring On 19th October 2019: COMFREL staff Indicators (JMI), especially on women in attended the discussion Gender Learning leadership and governance, share work Group on the topic of “Human Trafficking and progress, challenges on promoting women's Labor Migration Cambodian Women to China
COMFREL Annual Narrative Report 2019 Page 12 participation and leadership, a report on and the results of a study on citizens' empowerment of women in politics and the 6th perceptions of women's leadership by GADC. Legislature National Assembly Elections 2018
Activities of gender unit joined a meeting with a women group to talk about women’s issues
On 30th July 2019: COMFREL staff was in the community. This monitoring was served invited for radio show at WMC on topic for producing an annual political gender report. “Women's leader barrier” Under the purpose On 24th March 2019, COMFREL staff in (1) Listeners are aware of the challenges that cooperation with SACD, GADC, SILAKA, prevent women from fully engaging in social WIC (Worker’s Information Center), WNU, development, (2) Find appropriate and practical WPM (Women Peace Maker), CCHR, RoCK, solutions to increase the number of women in Focus on the Global South, and The Messenger leadership at both national and local levels and; Band organized an event called “My Body, My (3) Encourage government, partner Choice! Together To End All Forms of organizations to provide opportunities and Violence” at The Factory Phnom Penh. The support to women, empower young women, objective was to build public awareness on all especially youth, to take leadership roles at both forms of violence, to call for an end of all form community and national levels. of violence, and to highlight the struggle of On 7th June 2019, COMFREL staff attended women from different sectors. quarterly technical working group meetings COMFREL staff produced an annual report on about “Women in leadership and good Gender Political Watch “Women's Political governance” at the office of the Ministry of Empowerment and Elections for the Sixth Women's Affairs. The purpose of the meeting Mandate of the National Assembly for 2018” was to strengthen relationships with the and uploaded on its Website. network of technical working group members on women and leadership and good governance. It was also to share progress, challenges and next action on the promotion of women's participation in decision-making and gender mainstreaming in good governance and to update and request additional inputs on gender estimates in Cambodia, the chapter on women in the public sector, politics and leadership.
3.2. Political Gender Watch Education and Gender Unit in cooperation with Monitoring Unit and COMFREL provincial secretaries monitored the NA session and commune councillors’ performance
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3.3 Radio call-in show on Women Can Do it Indigenous women's views on gender and social media Negative Effect of Social Mindset on In cooperation with the media unit, the civic Women’s Right and Freedom education unit hosted 52 sessions (25 live and Women and campaigns on “One billion 27 rebroadcast) of the 60 minutes radio call-in Voice” show, ‘Woman Can Do It’, on FM 105. The Gender balance at Leadership programme discussed women in elections and Finish all forms of Violence against politics, and the promotion of women in women and girls processes of decision-making. New Generation of Women Women and Advocacy with Social Mindset The objectives of the discussions were to Potential of Women in good governance strengthen women’s confidence in their job performance, enhance gender equality, and Women's participation in politics at the motivate all political parties to consider placing Future women on their candidate lists. The radio Women and Immigration shows featured feedback and interaction by Political policy related to women’s and allowing listeners to call-in and share their children’s issues in commune/Sangkat ideas, experiences, and/or to raise the The importance of gender equality in questions. There were 77 (6 female) callers and politics 39 (30 female) speakers. These topics were: The importance of the involvement of youth and community facilitators to Work safety of Women in the Field of strengthen public services and promote Entertainment and Sexual Services gender equality Female leader in Cambodia A Report on Women’s Empowerment in 16-day campaign to rip of domestic Politics and the 2018 National Assembly violence against women and children Elections Women Right Day
“Women Can Do It” Radio Programme
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Program 4. Democratic Governance Reform construction of a 30-megawatt solar Program power station in Pursat province. 4.1. Government Watch A draft law on Approval of COMFREL produced the 2018 annual report Government Guarantee for the Royal on Government Watch and uploaded it on its Government of Cambodia to TSBC Seikong Powder Company Limited of Website. the Lao People's Democratic Republic. 4.2. Parliamentary Watch Draft Law on the Approval of the On 4th, 7th, 8th October 2019: the NA Guarantee of the Royal Government of reviewed the draft laws including the draft law the Kingdom of Cambodia to the on construction, the draft e-commerce law, the Seikong Semel Powder Company draft Consumer Protection Law and the draft Limited of the Lao People's Democratic social security regime. All were approved. Republic. On 23rd December 2019: COMFREL staff As a result, the third session of the 6th National monitored the session of the NA with 7 agenda Assembly was approved by the National to be discussed: Assembly. A draft law on the Approval for the On 04 November 2019, COMFREL staff Kingdom of Cambodia to be a Member attended the National and International of the Agreement for the Legislative Survey: Implementation of the provisions of The draft Law on the Adoption of the the UN Convention on the Law of the Treaty of the 1985 State Boundary Sea, dated 10 August 1982, regarding Treaty and the 2005 Supplementary the management and conservation of Treaty between the Kingdom of fish stocks. Cambodia and the Socialist Republic of Discussion and Draft Law on Approval Vietnam. of Guarantee for the Royal Draft Law on the Approval of the Government of Cambodia to Green Agreement between the Government of Energy Networks (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. the Kingdom of Cambodia and the for the construction of a 20-megawatt Government of the Hong Kong Special solar power station in Svay Rieng Administrative Region of the People's Province. Republic of China on Tax Avoidance Discussion and approval of the Royal and the Prevention of Embezzlement. Government of Cambodia approval for Draft Law on the Approval of the Wright Power Tower for the project for Second Protocol on the Border the construction of a 30MW solar Crossings of the ASEAN Framework power station in Banteay Meanchey Agreement on the Coordination of province. Transit Freight Discussion and Approval of the Royal Draft Law on the ASEAN Agreement Government of Cambodia (RGC) on E-Commerce Consolidated Payment Approval Draft Law on the Approval for the Scheme for Wright Electricity Kingdom of Cambodia to be a Member (Cambodia), Battambang, for the of the Framework Agreement on the project for the construction of a 60- Establishment of an International Solar megawatt solar power station Banteay Power Alliance Meanchey Province. A draft law on the Approval of the On 17 June 2019, COMFREL staff attended an observation NA plenary session which was held Royal Government of Cambodia to in National Assembly, Phnom Penh city of SnaTech Infinit Electricity for the COMFREL Annual Narrative Report 2019 Page 15
Cambodia. The 6 agendas were taken to discuss 5. Draft Law on the Approval of the and approve including: Agreement between the Kingdom of 1. Voting to give validity for H.E. Sok Cambodia, the Government of the Peng instead of H.E. Paov Sami, Prey Republic of Turkey on the Promotion Veng province parliamentarian who and the Protection of the Investment died by older. As a result of this of Foreign Investment. It was agendas, H.E. Sok Peng got 108 voters approved by 108 quorums.
to become newly Prey Veng 6. Draft Law on the Approval of the parliamentarian. Agreement Concerning the 2. Discuss draft laws on oil and Establishment of International petroleum products. It was approved Network for Bamboo and Rattan. It by 108 quorums. was approved by 108 quorums. 3. Discuss Agreements between the On 01 April 2019, COMFREL staff monitored Kingdom of Cambodia and the an NA session to talk about reading the royal Government of the People's Republic letter of the king of Cambodia, NA activities of Bangladesh on the Promotion of report between the first and second NA mutual investment promotion and session, election conduction on Constitutional protection. It was approved by 108 Council member (2019-2028), election quorums. conduction on NA members. This session was 4. Draft Law on the Approval of attended by 113 parliamentarians with four Agreements between the Kingdom of agendas. Cambodia and the United Arab COMFREL produced the 2018 annual report Emirates on mutual investment on Parliamentary Watch and uploaded it on its promotion and protection. It was Website. For the new report, COMFREL staff approved by 108 quorums. is in the process of collecting information from NA sessions regularly.
4.3 Democracy Watch COMFREL produced a 2018 annual report on Democracy, Elections and Reform in Cambodia. This report was uploaded on COMFREL Website. In addition, there was at least 26 Electoral digest news released by mail release to its partners.
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IV. Staff Capacity and Organizational Development
On 4-5 November 2019, COMFREL staff revision and voter registration 2019, for PES attended a training workshop on Gender officials, political parties and NGOs. This Mainstreaming at Diakonia Center to refresh training was conducted for 4 days at the NEC the gender mainstreaming tools to Diakonia’s conference hall. The agenda of the training partners to get a better understanding and program included: adopting it into their strategic plan/project a. On the morning of 20 March 2019 at am, proposal. After the workshop, COMFREL staff opening speech for the training program learned gender mainstreaming tools and how to under the presidency of H.E. Mr. Mok adapt to the strategic plan/project proposal. Dara, NEC Deputy-General Secretary On 04 October 2019, COMFREL staff b. Presentation of relevant topics by NEC attended a half-day workshop on ‘Youth’s master trainers Participation in Social Work’ held at YRDP c. On the afternoon of 22 March 2019 at 3 office to motivate youth to more participate in pm, responding to questions with regard to social and political work. voter lists revision and voter registration On 18 April 2019, COMFREL staff 2019 and closing remarks for the training participated in a training session held by the program under the presidency of H.E. Mr. NEC on election campaign, voting, counting Tep Nytha, MEC General Secretary and consolidating election result for the council On 07 and 14 February 2019, COMFREL staff election in 3rd mandate 2019 for chiefs of organized a training session on “How to Provincial/Capital Election Commission Produce Animation and to Use Photoshop” at (PEC), Chief of Provincial/Capital Election the central office of COMFREL. The session Secretariat (PES, Members in charge of training focused on some tools used to produce video and stakeholders. animation and the basics of Photoshop. On 19-22 March 2019, COMFREL staff participated in a training session on voter lists
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V. Summary of Financial Statement
FINANCIAL REPORT SUMMARY Period from January1 to December 2019
Annual Budget $360,750.00
No Descriptions Amount %
1 Income 1.1 Openning Balance $84,452.00 22% 1.2 Diakonia $117,427.72 31% 1.3 NPA $70,685.88 19% 1.4 OSI $100,000.00 26% 1.5 Canada Embassy $1,004.10 0% 1.6 British Embassy $24,956.00 7% 1.7 Other/Bank interest $1,788.30 0.5% 1.8 Fund returned to donor -$22,035.00 -6% Total $378,279.00 78%
2 Expenditure 2.1 Core Administration $131,410.00 40% 2.2 Progamme Activities $184,603.00 56% 2.2.1 Education for Democracy and Elections Program $65,467.00 20% 2.2.2 Strengthening Genuine Democratic Elections $59,466.00 18% 2.2.3 Women Empowerment in Politics $28,787.00 9% 2.2.4 Democratic Governance Reform $30,883.00 9% 2.3 Internal Organization (Auditor, Capacity Building...) $11,478.00 3.5% Total $327,491.00 100%
Fund Balance at ending of 2019 $50,788.00
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