Cambodia bans SMS messaging ahead of Sunday's elections

AFP, March, 2007

PHNOM PENH (AFP) — SMS text messaging has been banned in Cambodia over the weekend amid fears of political unrest as the country votes for local government administrators, election officials said Friday.

The announcement came on the final day of campaigning before the Sunday polls, as thousands of ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) supporters rallied in the capital Phnom Penh, snarling traffic for hours.

"Most people are using cell phones which can receive campaign messages from political parties. On these two days, the environment must be quiet, according to the law," the National Election Committee said in a statement.

Cambodians vote Sunday in local elections that will likely see the CPP further tighten its grip on power ahead of next year's national polls.

Some 12 political parties have fielded candidates for commune councils -- small administrative bodies that govern rural villages or city neighbourhoods.

But CPP is expected to ...