Associated Press Writer
AP
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party claimed it had sealed a landslide victory in parliamentary elections that were expected to usher in a new term for the former Khmer Rouge soldier who has ruled for 23 years.
Hun Sen's popularity at the polls was buoyed by a surge of nationalism amid a tense border dispute with neighboring Thailand.
The 57-year-old Hun Sen's reputation as a strongman who intimidates rivals served him well in the campaign, with voters rallying around the leader as Cambodian troops faced off with Thai soldiers for a second week at a disputed 11th century Hindu temple. The two countries plan to resume negotiations on the border row Monday.
Just hours after polling stations closed Sunday, the ruling Cambodian People's Party appeared to be "leading everywhere" and estimates from party agents nationwide indicated a sweep of 91 seats in the 123-seat lower house compared with 26 for the main opposition, said party spokesman Khieu Kanharith.
"We can claim a landslide victory. It is certain," the spokesman told The Associated Press, adding that vote counting had been completed in most constituencies.
Thun Saray, head of Cambodian election monitoring group Comfrel, said it was "early to declare victory, but the trend shows that CPP is winning." Official results were expected later in the week.
In power since 1985, Hun Sen is Asia's longest-serving leader. He was expected to win the vote even before the military standoff escalated earlier this month. But patriotic passions over Preah Vihear temple and Hun Sen's firm stance against Thailand swayed many undecided voters in his favor, analysts say.
"Everybody now supports the government because this is a national issue," said Kek Galabru, a prominent Cambodian human rights activist and election monitor. "More people will vote for (Hun Sen) to give him more power to deal with Preah Vihear."
More than 8 million of Cambodia's 14 million people were eligible to vote in Sunday's election. Eleven parties were vying for seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, with the winner forming a new government to run the country for the next five years.
Hun Sen had voiced little doubt that his party, which held 73 assembly seats during the past five-year term, would return to power.
"I wish to state it very clearly this way: No one can defeat Hun Sen," the prime minister said earlier this year.
Hun Sen has been at the center of Cambodian politics since 1985, when he became the world's youngest prime minister at age 33. He has held or shared the top job ever since, bullying and outfoxing his opponents to stay in power.
Sunday's voting was the fourth parliamentary election since the United Nations brokered a peace deal for the country in 1991, a process meant to end decades of civil unrest that included the 1975-79 genocidal reign of the Khmer Rouge.
Hun Sen's popularity at the polls was buoyed by a surge of nationalism amid a tense border dispute with neighboring Thailand.
The 57-year-old Hun Sen's reputation as a strongman who intimidates rivals served him well in the campaign, with voters rallying around the leader as Cambodian troops faced off with Thai soldiers for a second week at a disputed 11th century Hindu temple. The two countries plan to resume negotiations on the border row Monday.
Just hours after polling stations closed Sunday, the ruling Cambodian People's Party appeared to be "leading everywhere" and estimates from party agents nationwide indicated a sweep of 91 seats in the 123-seat lower house compared with 26 for the main opposition, said party spokesman Khieu Kanharith.
"We can claim a landslide victory. It is certain," the spokesman told The Associated Press, adding that vote counting had been completed in most constituencies.
Thun Saray, head of Cambodian election monitoring group Comfrel, said it was "early to declare victory, but the trend shows that CPP is winning." Official results were expected later in the week.
In power since 1985, Hun Sen is Asia's longest-serving leader. He was expected to win the vote even before the military standoff escalated earlier this month. But patriotic passions over Preah Vihear temple and Hun Sen's firm stance against Thailand swayed many undecided voters in his favor, analysts say.
"Everybody now supports the government because this is a national issue," said Kek Galabru, a prominent Cambodian human rights activist and election monitor. "More people will vote for (Hun Sen) to give him more power to deal with Preah Vihear."
More than 8 million of Cambodia's 14 million people were eligible to vote in Sunday's election. Eleven parties were vying for seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, with the winner forming a new government to run the country for the next five years.
Hun Sen had voiced little doubt that his party, which held 73 assembly seats during the past five-year term, would return to power.
"I wish to state it very clearly this way: No one can defeat Hun Sen," the prime minister said earlier this year.
Hun Sen has been at the center of Cambodian politics since 1985, when he became the world's youngest prime minister at age 33. He has held or shared the top job ever since, bullying and outfoxing his opponents to stay in power.
Sunday's voting was the fourth parliamentary election since the United Nations brokered a peace deal for the country in 1991, a process meant to end decades of civil unrest that included the 1975-79 genocidal reign of the Khmer Rouge.
4 comments:
Yes! Yes! Yes!
To All People Who voted for CPP,
Because you have selected CPP to rule the country for one more term, please, therefore, do not complain when:
- you live in poverty and hardship with small income.
- the country court unfairly response to your complain.
- the prices of commodities and gas skyrocket.
- your land is confiscated by the rulling party.
- your salary is not increased.
- you need to pay for your medical fee at the government hospitals.
- more illegal Vietnamese immigrants come and live on your motherland.
- corruption is more wildly spread all over the country.
- you see the rich becoming richer and richer and the poor becoming poorer and poorer.
A country whose majority of its people have a poor vision enjoy no glory.
Thanks,
Cheyo!
The New Sun rising on the old Kingdom! Samdech Preah Bat Maha Decho Hun Sen Varman.
We the Cambodian people will not complain of anyting as long as the other party is not in power.
Since along run with the Royal Family parties were down hill we never fell anyone elese dare with us.
Our first gold is to fall down the Royal parties, and thr other is next and next...bring them in chaos Scenarios!
Why Mr.Bush win section term? And why cpp win again? Please think!!!
It's time to build strong Foundation of our Nation,Please let's the light shine every corner of our land.Let's show the world that the Kingdom of Cambodia has magic....
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