The ruling Cambodian People’s Party and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party have agreed on 14 key issues regarding the country’s electoral reforms.

According to a joint statement released after a nearly four-hour meeting, the Joint Committee for Electoral Reform said two out of the 14 issues had been agreed prior to the meeting; reform of the candidate and voter registration process and a draft law on the financing of political parties.

Other points of agreement include the reform of the polling system, the independence of social civil organisations, the role of the media in broadcasting election campaigns, the establishment of an agency to settle election conflicts, and inviting observers to monitor voting.

Speaking after the meeting, CPP negotiation team leader Bin Chhin said the agreed points are merely the continuance of electoral reform efforts, not final decisions.

Meanwhile, head of the CNRP negotiators Son Chhay confirmed that his party still insists on a re-election.

But Bin Chhin stated that the Cambodian constitution does not allow for a new poll, particularly now that the parliament has operated normally for eight months since the completion of the election on July 28, 2013.-VNA