Phnom Penh (FN), June 15 – Interior Minister Sar Kheng claimed that the purpose of military forces in all countries is to secure public order.

He reiterated that the deployment of forces during the commune-council elections was meant to protect citizens, not threaten them.

His statement came Thursday during a review of the security committee of the 4th mandate Commune-Council Election with Sik Bun Hok, Chairman of the National Election Committee.

The statement was also made in response to the criticism that forces  were deployed during the election were meant to threaten citizens and political parties.

“Without the deployment of security forces during the election, negative things would have happened due to the absence of protection, and if there were, there would be more numerous criticisms,” stated Sar Kheng.

During the previous election, a total of 37,530 soldiers were deployed nationwide, including 35,043 policemen, 643 gendarmeries and 1,844 armed forces.
=FRESH NEWS