Election gifts under scrutiny

Chuon Phang, the 79-year-old chief of Tasanh commune in Battambang’s Samlot district, has always handed out free cotton kramas to local villagers about a month ahead of elections. But the ruling Cambodian People’s Party representative does not characterise the practice as vote-buying. He says he gives them to out to everyone, regardless of their political affiliation. … Political parties in Cambodia, and the ruling CPP in particular, have long used material benefits to draw in voters ahead of elections. …

Kevin Ponniah and Vong Sokheng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/election-gifts-under-scrutiny