Tuesday, March 27, 2007Collected by Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir
Unofficial Translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read Cambodge Soir’s original article in French
During the campaign for the commune election, we are reporting words heard at a street corner, in a market, from a seller, etc… discussing about the election. The words we are echoing here represent only the opinions of their respective authors.
At a private clinic in Stung Meanchey, 32-year-old Meach said that he is not waiting for the commune council to insure free medical care for people. “When, we are sick, we must always pay. I will vote for a party which could resolve this problem even if it is not the one I like. But, to me, all of them are all the same. None of them think about the public interest. The private interest always takes priority…,” he claimed.
A seller in Kompong Thom told other sellers that she will vote for the parties who will field women candidates at the top of their lists. “Women they don’t like going out to nightclubs, to karaoke bars, or to drink alcohol,” she explained to justify her choice. “You said that because your sister is a candidate, isn’t it?” people replied to her. “No, it’s just that if you don’t spend in entertainment establishments, you can live with less, and you don’t have to be involved in corruption to pay for all these luxuries,” the seller explained.
An English-speaking reporter gave his opinion on the election campaign: “It’s no use because people already know who they will vote for. The campaign could provide an image for the parties, but it does not change the voters’ choice.”
“The processions held by the political parties during the election campaign look like the ‘kathen.’ After the procession, everybody is allowed to attend the banquet. If I have time, I want to join them,” a worker said. Her colleague is indignant of the fate of the small parties which do not have the means. “They don’t have money, they have few people working, some of their representatives don’t even dare show up to the people. They are moving discreetly, without attracting the attention, whereas the large parties, they do everything big …”
Udom, a new 18-year-old voter, accepts to fulfill his citizenship duty and to go to vote on 01 April. However, he cannot hide his uncertainties in choosing a political party he will vote for. “They all have good programs, how to choose? If I cannot decide, then on the day of the vote, I will close my eyes and I will put a checkmark on a box randomly…”
At a private clinic in Stung Meanchey, 32-year-old Meach said that he is not waiting for the commune council to insure free medical care for people. “When, we are sick, we must always pay. I will vote for a party which could resolve this problem even if it is not the one I like. But, to me, all of them are all the same. None of them think about the public interest. The private interest always takes priority…,” he claimed.
A seller in Kompong Thom told other sellers that she will vote for the parties who will field women candidates at the top of their lists. “Women they don’t like going out to nightclubs, to karaoke bars, or to drink alcohol,” she explained to justify her choice. “You said that because your sister is a candidate, isn’t it?” people replied to her. “No, it’s just that if you don’t spend in entertainment establishments, you can live with less, and you don’t have to be involved in corruption to pay for all these luxuries,” the seller explained.
An English-speaking reporter gave his opinion on the election campaign: “It’s no use because people already know who they will vote for. The campaign could provide an image for the parties, but it does not change the voters’ choice.”
“The processions held by the political parties during the election campaign look like the ‘kathen.’ After the procession, everybody is allowed to attend the banquet. If I have time, I want to join them,” a worker said. Her colleague is indignant of the fate of the small parties which do not have the means. “They don’t have money, they have few people working, some of their representatives don’t even dare show up to the people. They are moving discreetly, without attracting the attention, whereas the large parties, they do everything big …”
Udom, a new 18-year-old voter, accepts to fulfill his citizenship duty and to go to vote on 01 April. However, he cannot hide his uncertainties in choosing a political party he will vote for. “They all have good programs, how to choose? If I cannot decide, then on the day of the vote, I will close my eyes and I will put a checkmark on a box randomly…”
1 comment:
geez. well how hard can it be? Do you see a great improvement in the current government right now? That takes one choice away. If you cannot decide next, then, close your eyes and check a random marked with your palm over CPP so you won't randomly check it.
If you have doubts, that mean, the current isn't good enough so why don't you just give a new party a try?
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