Sunday, June 29, 2008

Cambodian political parties gear up for July election

SRP parade (Photo: Jean Loncle and Pring Samrang, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

Sunday, June 29, 2008
ABC Radio Australia

Cambodia's political parties are continuing to campaign this weekend, ahead of next month's general election.

It is hoped the nation's fourth democratic election will be free of violence, but already, the ruling Cambodian People's Party has been accused of intimidation by the Opposition.

Sen Lam reports from Phnom Penh that campaigning Cambodian-style is a colourful affair.

In the capital, small lorries cruise the city streets in convoys, with loud music and political slogans, as party members pile into the back of the trucks.

Human rights groups and election observers have voiced concern in recent weeks over perceived intimidation, in particular, the arrest and release of a newspaper editor, and the closure of a provincial radio station.

The station had sold air time to opposition parties without government permission.

For the moment, the campaigning climate is better than in previous elections, although threats against activists at grassroots level, are reported to continue

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

CPP government is the major corruption government in South East Asia.
Cambodia has gone down hill for 30 years and turn to the poorest country in the world.
Hun Sen and his CPP are not smart enough to run the country.
Cambodia need new well educated government to bring the country backup.