As expected, longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) secured power in Cambodia’s parliamentary elections. Party spokesman Sok Eysan spoke of a “crushing victory” late on Sunday evening (local time). According to preliminary results, the CPP will have at least 120 seats in the 125-member National Assembly, the Khmer Times newspaper reported Monday, citing the election commission. However, thanks to massive repression in the run-up to the elections, Hun Sen had no competition to fear.
The 70-year-old has ruled the Southeast Asian kingdom for nearly 40 years, making him one of the world’s longest-serving heads of government. The only opposition party with a real chance, the Candlelight Party, was not allowed to participate in the vote: In May, the constitutional court banned the registration because of an alleged technicality. Dozens of party members were arrested and others fled abroad.
Nearly ten million people were called to the polls on Sunday. Voter turnout was extremely high at around 84 percent. This was mainly due to the fact that Hun Sen had the electoral law changed a few weeks ago. Since then, calls for an election boycott or attempts to invalidate a ballot have been punished. Background: High turnout should legitimize Hun Sen’s retention of power. Phil Robertson, deputy director for Asia at Human Rights Watch, compared the pre-election political situation in the de facto one-party state of Cambodia with that in North Korea.
The permanent ruler has for years appointed his eldest son, General Hun Manet (45), as his successor. In an interview with Phoenix TV in Hong Kong, Hun Sen said yes his son could take over as head of government within a few weeks. “Cambodia is destroying what is left of democracy in favorof a hereditary dictatorship,” Robertson tweeted. (saw/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
