EU monitors outside a polling station during Sunday's election. [Radio Australia]Wednesday, July 30, 2008
ABC Radio Australia
International election monitors in Cambodia say despite improvements in processes the country's recent national election was flawed and did not meet key standards.
A preliminary report by 130 European Union election monitors the poll was marred by the ruling Cambodian People's Party domination of media coverage.
Also the improper deletion of people from registration lists so they could not vote, and other irregularities.
Martin Callanan, who led the EU observers says ultimately, it's up to the Cambodian people to accept or reject the results, adding that the EU will issue a more detailed report with recommendations in October.
He says the campaign was generally conducted in a more peaceful and open environment compared to previous elections.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted lower violence from previous elections but says it observed threats, intimidation and inducements directed against political activists to get them to change parties.
A partial count by Cambodian electoral authorities shows Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party won 59.6 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, compared with nearly 21 percent for the nearest rival, the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.
A preliminary report by 130 European Union election monitors the poll was marred by the ruling Cambodian People's Party domination of media coverage.
Also the improper deletion of people from registration lists so they could not vote, and other irregularities.
Martin Callanan, who led the EU observers says ultimately, it's up to the Cambodian people to accept or reject the results, adding that the EU will issue a more detailed report with recommendations in October.
He says the campaign was generally conducted in a more peaceful and open environment compared to previous elections.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted lower violence from previous elections but says it observed threats, intimidation and inducements directed against political activists to get them to change parties.
A partial count by Cambodian electoral authorities shows Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party won 59.6 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, compared with nearly 21 percent for the nearest rival, the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.
13 comments:
Imagine if it was other way round -that is CPP lost due to missing voters en masse like this ? Hun Sen would declare war !!
But, anyway, Cambodia is destined to be the yuon land. Let it be. I have shed enough tears for my country and down-trodden Khmer people whom I have grown up to love.
If people don't want to liberate themselves, nothing will.
Once a cheater, always a cheater.
There is a saying " you are, who your friend is ".
So the CPP is vietnam, cause that is the CPP's friend. They cheated, lies, steals, and kills.
The vilence is down during this election, BUT the curruptions is very high. The CPP have a landslide victory.
My beloved Khmers!
Freedom ain't free, you must willingly fight for it!
Gentleman
The outcome of the observation for recent election,reveals that these manipulative cheating practices have been employed all along by the ruling party.
Tempering with eligible voter lists,either add on those CPP supporters or take off other party supporters,have always incurred.
These acts are criminals by abusing cambodians' rights. NEC has a lot to explain to international communities where funding was assisted for, as well as to cambodians who their rights ignored.
The report should be also sent to cambodian king where he is the arbitrator of preventing abuse of authority as well as protecting the rights of normal cambodian citizens. These are clearly stipulated in articles 8 and 9 of national constitution.In fact, the constitution was the result of international communities committed to Peace Accords in 1991
Addition to that the election result appeared pre-calculated, thus there was no need of serious intimidation or salvage killings.
Neang SA
Shame on CPP!
The European election monitors were flown into Cambodia 3 weeks before the election. What were they doing during that time. If they were doing their job properly, they would have gone round the polling stations, talked to the various parties, make recommendations to the election officials etc. before the election.
Why only say now that many things were not in order.
Sure, I know there will be some things not up to standard, but the election monitors from European countries could have made the recommendations, and a least there would be some improvements in the election process.
Why now only cry over spilt milk.
EU is not International, and they only find about 50,000 who can't vote, and even if they find 500,000, it doesn't mean much. Plus, Japan didn't find anything serious at all. Moreover, how can we ever have a perfect election when we don't have enough fund for the election. We were forced to cut many corners. We be lucky to have what we got: that is millions of people voted independently without anyone pointing gun at them. That is what important. You don't need everyone to vote to know what the country wants.
Everyone can see the nature of this mad dog.
It is a sad, hopeless, and helpless situation; fully supported by the international donors whose own interests and politics override any sense of decency and justice at the expense of the mass of the poor and uneducated Cambodians...
Almost 30 years have past, people are still afraid and conditioned to "not rock the boat." It is a fate/destiny?
Everyone see the nature of the losers! They always cry Foul-Play no mater what.
I'd truly recommend the opposition leaders to gather together and call on the people for a massive demonstration to protest against the electoral fraud and other irregularities during the election by using PEOPLE POWER.
You must take time to choreograph and orchestrate the upcoming demonstration; yes, it has to be massive, or don't bother.
Also, people overseas need to protest in front of the (preferably) the U.S. embassy and the UN.
Again, the demonstration must be massive and ubiquitous and simultaneously to show a strong opposition against the ectoral fraud. And the international community must know and recognize that the election was flawed.
Did the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen receive a congratulatory call from the US embassador in Phnom Penh after the ruling party trumpeted their electoral landslide victory?
If not, the election was not fair or free.
What the fuck the American????
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