The Perceived Progress in the Quality of Commune Civil Registration Service in Cambodia

Abstract

In an effort to achieve decentralized development, political reform and administrative structures, the Royal Government of Cambodia launched the Law on Commune/Sangkat1 Administrative Management (Commune Law) on March 19, 2001. The election of Commune Councils subsequently ensued in February 2002. This was a critical step in the devolution of power to local authorities across the country. With this local decentralization policy, the national government hoped the establishment of local administrations would be able to deliver better public services, conduct expenditure transparency, improve local infrastructure, and allow a more democratic and local participation. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of both the commune administrators and the local service receivers on the perceived progress in the quality of commune service delivery. This study focuses on civil registration2, from 2002 through 2014. The case study was conducted in Koymeng Commune, Mongkolborey District, Cambodia. Draw from four analytical themes related to local administrators’ and local residents’ perceptions, the findings on service quality were organized into four basic areas: (1) village-based outreach meeting, (2) increasing knowledge of the local residents, (3) the increased numbers of the commune standing staff on the administrative work, (4) the actual use of modern office equipment.