The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Election campaigning began Friday for new local governing councils across Cambodia, an apparent effort to transfer more political power from the central government to the countryside.
But some observers said the polls are more likely to consolidate the power of Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party.
The election, scheduled for April 1, will choose councils to administer 1,621 communes and sangkats, which are clusters of villages and urban neighborhoods.
Twelve political parties fielding a total of 102,266 candidates are competing in the elections, which are held every five years. Trucks carrying party supporters and draped with political banners wound their way through the streets of the capital Phnom Penh. Supporters chanted their campaign messages through bullhorns to woo voters.
The first local election was held Feb. 2002. Until then, the communes were ruled by chiefs appointed by the Interior Ministry.
Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party, which has maintained a firm grip on power during the last three decades, won overwhelmingly in the last local election and is expected to emerge victorious again.
The countryside has traditionally been dominated by Hun Sen's party followers.
Although the election is meant to decentralize power, Hang Puthea, executive director of Cambodian nonprofit election monitoring group Nicfec, said that it will not lead to any fundamental changes.
"This election is merely going to strengthen the current ruling party. And as already expected, the Cambodian People's Party will (again) lead in the number of local governing councils," he said.
Citing the proportional Cambodian electoral system, where candidates are appointed by their parties, Hang Puthea said elected candidates usually carry out their duties with political loyalty rather than public interest, in mind.
"I do not know how many more generations (it will take before) decentralization can fully function" in Cambodia, he said.
On Thursday, Hun Sen called for peaceful campaigning and ordered security forces to ensure safety and security until the election is over.
But some observers said the polls are more likely to consolidate the power of Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party.
The election, scheduled for April 1, will choose councils to administer 1,621 communes and sangkats, which are clusters of villages and urban neighborhoods.
Twelve political parties fielding a total of 102,266 candidates are competing in the elections, which are held every five years. Trucks carrying party supporters and draped with political banners wound their way through the streets of the capital Phnom Penh. Supporters chanted their campaign messages through bullhorns to woo voters.
The first local election was held Feb. 2002. Until then, the communes were ruled by chiefs appointed by the Interior Ministry.
Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party, which has maintained a firm grip on power during the last three decades, won overwhelmingly in the last local election and is expected to emerge victorious again.
The countryside has traditionally been dominated by Hun Sen's party followers.
Although the election is meant to decentralize power, Hang Puthea, executive director of Cambodian nonprofit election monitoring group Nicfec, said that it will not lead to any fundamental changes.
"This election is merely going to strengthen the current ruling party. And as already expected, the Cambodian People's Party will (again) lead in the number of local governing councils," he said.
Citing the proportional Cambodian electoral system, where candidates are appointed by their parties, Hang Puthea said elected candidates usually carry out their duties with political loyalty rather than public interest, in mind.
"I do not know how many more generations (it will take before) decentralization can fully function" in Cambodia, he said.
On Thursday, Hun Sen called for peaceful campaigning and ordered security forces to ensure safety and security until the election is over.
3 comments:
Wow, that is very good to see that it went well without violence. Whoever wins, Cambodia must be in peace.......for the sack of Cambodian. Border issues, Corruption and Illegal Imigrants are the sentive and attractive subjects for voters. Cheers!!!!!
Changes will take sometimes. Be patient and keep up hope. Telling people about good things from you will take a second to deliver but to get people to know you that you are a good person by doing, it will take time and it reach out to people, the truth is there forever!!!! Do not promise what you cannot do.
Khmer people have learn that they
are the power; power of selection
of who will be teir leaders. We are getting better and better.
Bati
Post a Comment