(VOVWORLD) - On July 23rd. 8 million Cambodian voters went to the polls. The 85% of turnout was higher than for the 6th parliamentary election in 2018 and the 5th Commune and Ward Council elections in 2022, and showed the people’s political consciousness, sense of ownership, and desire for peace, stability, and development.
 The election campaign of the Cambodian People's Party (photo: VOV-Phnom Penh) |
Cambodia's National Election Commission (NEC) said the election took place at 23,789 polling stations across the country. 125 lawmakers were elected for the 2023-2028 term from 18 political parties. There were 90,000 domestic and international observers monitoring and overseeing the election.
Peaceful election
At a press conference on the evening of the election on Sunday, NEC Chairman Prach Chan said that thanks to close coordination between the election security mechanisms, the NEC, and election units at all levels, the election took place successfully, and peacefully.
Som Soreida, Deputy Secretary-General and spokesman for NEC, said that the NEC received no complaints about irregularities at the polling stations.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Telegram on Sunday that the strong voter turnout proved that plots to sabotage the election had failed. People really want to live in peace and prosperity.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, Nuno Gomes Nabiam, who was on a working visit to Cambodia and was a member of the observation team, said that all procedures were carried out in accordance with the election law to ensure freedom, fairness, and transparency.
 Cambodian people believe in the leadership of the CPP. (photo:VOV-Phnom Penh) |
Success comes from thorough preparations
The high turnout of voters was attributed to the careful preparation of the parties and the Cambodian government. Before the election, 18 political parties embarked on a massive election campaign for 3 weeks, while public safety and security were ensured. Campaign activities included meetings, gatherings, concerts, slide shows, leaflets distributed in public places, propaganda broadcast by loudspeakers near party headquarters, and marches in residential areas and constituencies of the candidates, attracting crowds of people.
The political platforms and policies of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and 17 other parties, including the FUNCINPEC, Khmer National Solidarity (KNUP), Farmers (FP), Women for Women (WPFW), and Cambodian Youth (CYP) were broadcast via radio, television, and online newspapers.
Most parties focused on solutions for social issues, such as drugs, care for the elderly, retirement, land, public administrative procedures, and human resource training.
The comprehensive election platform of the CPP has been persuasive to a large number of Cambodians of all backgrounds and ages. The platform calls for an independent and law-based foreign policy, better friendship and cooperation relations between Cambodia and other countries, and improved living standards and development opportunities for the people.
This was the 7th general election in Cambodia since 1993. The official result will be announced on August 9th.