Sam Rainsy is thought to be the strongest challenger to the CPP
Hun Sen has been at the forefront of Cambodian politics since 1985Friday, 25 July 2008
BBC News
Cambodians go to the polls on 27 July for an election widely expected to return Prime Minister Hun Sen to power. The BBC looks at the parties and issues involved in the polls.
What is the current situation?
Cambodia's first general election took place in 1993, after decades of civil war. Sunday's poll will be the country's fourth.
The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) remains firmly in control. Its leader, one-time Khmer Rouge fighter Hun Sen, has been at the head of Cambodian politics for 23 years.
When the CPP came second in polls in 1993, he was forced into a power-sharing deal with royalist party Funcinpec, but he then seized total control in a 1997 coup. The CPP went on to secure the most votes in polls in 1998 and 2003.
The Sam Rainsy Party, named after its outspoken French-educated leader, is currently the strongest opposition force. Funcinpec - which remains in the governing coalition - appears weakened after the ouster of leader Norodom Ranariddh, who lives overseas after being convicted in absentia of breach of trust.
Are we expecting any surprises?
Not really. A total of 11 parties are contesting the polls, but the CPP looks set to win power for another five years. It has mounted a massive campaign aimed at building on its 73 seats in the 123-seat chamber - so there is a possibility it might end its coalition with Funcinpec.
The Sam Rainsy Party is popular in the capital but appears less so in rural areas.
The new Human Rights Party, led by government critic Kem Sokha, could erode some of its support. Other parties have been weakened by defections and internal fighting.
Will it be free and fair?
Polls in 1998 and, to a lesser extent, 2003 were marred by violence that mainly targeted opposition candidates and supporters. But so far campaigning for this election appears to be passing off smoothly.
However on 11 July journalist Khim Sambo, 47, and his 21-year-old son were shot and killed in Phnom Penh. Khim Sambo wrote for the Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper, which is affiliated to the Sam Rainsy Party. Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said that the killing appeared "intended to send a message not to engage in opposition politics".
The election build-up has also been marred by "intense and systematic efforts by the CPP to pressure opposition party members… to defect to the CPP", the rights group added in a statement. A number of Cambodian NGOs have also raised concerns about political intimidation of opposition candidates and activists.
As well as this, the CPP controls almost all media outlets in the country, giving it a strong campaign advantage. Media reports about candidates from ruling parties and opposition parties had been "quite imbalanced", the Asian Network for Free Elections said in a statement.
Several domestic and international monitors will observe the polls.
What are the main election issues?
Khmer Rouge rule left the Cambodian economy utterly devastated. But in the 30 years since the Maoist regime fell, things have steadily got better. In recent years investment has increased and both the tourist and garment industries have contributed to high economic growth - all of which favour the current government.
But the economy is currently facing a number of challenges. Rising food and fuel prices have pushed inflation to a new high, and there is growing unemployment. Cambodia's garment industry is also coming under increased competition from China and corruption blights many people's daily lives. That, a growing rich-poor divide and a culture of impunity for the rich and powerful have led to rumbling social discontent.
There is one other issue in the mix. A military stand-off with Thailand over the border temple of Preah Vihear - recently listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site - has generated a swell of nationalist pride, which is thought to give the CPP a pre-election boost.
What is the current situation?
Cambodia's first general election took place in 1993, after decades of civil war. Sunday's poll will be the country's fourth.
The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) remains firmly in control. Its leader, one-time Khmer Rouge fighter Hun Sen, has been at the head of Cambodian politics for 23 years.
When the CPP came second in polls in 1993, he was forced into a power-sharing deal with royalist party Funcinpec, but he then seized total control in a 1997 coup. The CPP went on to secure the most votes in polls in 1998 and 2003.
The Sam Rainsy Party, named after its outspoken French-educated leader, is currently the strongest opposition force. Funcinpec - which remains in the governing coalition - appears weakened after the ouster of leader Norodom Ranariddh, who lives overseas after being convicted in absentia of breach of trust.
Are we expecting any surprises?
Not really. A total of 11 parties are contesting the polls, but the CPP looks set to win power for another five years. It has mounted a massive campaign aimed at building on its 73 seats in the 123-seat chamber - so there is a possibility it might end its coalition with Funcinpec.
The Sam Rainsy Party is popular in the capital but appears less so in rural areas.
The new Human Rights Party, led by government critic Kem Sokha, could erode some of its support. Other parties have been weakened by defections and internal fighting.
Will it be free and fair?
Polls in 1998 and, to a lesser extent, 2003 were marred by violence that mainly targeted opposition candidates and supporters. But so far campaigning for this election appears to be passing off smoothly.
However on 11 July journalist Khim Sambo, 47, and his 21-year-old son were shot and killed in Phnom Penh. Khim Sambo wrote for the Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper, which is affiliated to the Sam Rainsy Party. Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said that the killing appeared "intended to send a message not to engage in opposition politics".
The election build-up has also been marred by "intense and systematic efforts by the CPP to pressure opposition party members… to defect to the CPP", the rights group added in a statement. A number of Cambodian NGOs have also raised concerns about political intimidation of opposition candidates and activists.
As well as this, the CPP controls almost all media outlets in the country, giving it a strong campaign advantage. Media reports about candidates from ruling parties and opposition parties had been "quite imbalanced", the Asian Network for Free Elections said in a statement.
Several domestic and international monitors will observe the polls.
What are the main election issues?
Khmer Rouge rule left the Cambodian economy utterly devastated. But in the 30 years since the Maoist regime fell, things have steadily got better. In recent years investment has increased and both the tourist and garment industries have contributed to high economic growth - all of which favour the current government.
But the economy is currently facing a number of challenges. Rising food and fuel prices have pushed inflation to a new high, and there is growing unemployment. Cambodia's garment industry is also coming under increased competition from China and corruption blights many people's daily lives. That, a growing rich-poor divide and a culture of impunity for the rich and powerful have led to rumbling social discontent.
There is one other issue in the mix. A military stand-off with Thailand over the border temple of Preah Vihear - recently listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site - has generated a swell of nationalist pride, which is thought to give the CPP a pre-election boost.
13 comments:
បោះឆ្នោត ថ្ងៃ ២៧ កក្កដា ២០០៨ មានតែ ពីរ ជំរើសគត់ ៖
- បោះឆ្នោត ជូនអ្នកស្នេហាជាតិ (ឯកឧត្តមសម រង្ស៊ី បំរើផលប្រយោជខ្មែរ)
ឬ
- បោះឆ្នោត អោយជនក្បត់ជាតិ (អាក្បត់ជាតិហ៊ុន សែន បំរើផលប្រយោជយួន)
Only two sides of the Cambodian vote on July 27, 2008, vote for :
- Patriot (H.E. Sam Rainsy khmer servant, SRP: Sam Rainsy Party)
or
- Traitor (ah Hun Sen youn servant, CPP: Communist Pro youn Party)
Khmer farmer
If the UN realy completed the Paris Agreement! We would have the leader educated from US or Australia!
FUcking your political game stupid!!!!!
Cambodia really needs a new prime minister.
The only person that qualify in Cambodia right now is
Mr. Sam Ransy. According to his knowledge he can create
Jobs for Cambodian people and boost economy up to
one hundred times.
And most important Mr. Sam Ransy he really love his own country.
is this loser have a white face...?
SAM RAINSY WILL WIN THIS ELECTION
62 seats for SRP
50 saet for cPeePee( all from youn voter)
11 seat for HRP
The dark face is Cambodia prime monster and he is
the head of CPP gangster.
On Monday July 28th 2008,
Samdech Preah Maha Decho Hun Sen will become the nation HERO and the Prime Minister. The CPP is the principle of the Cambodia, the master in politics, the strategist of the problems solving, the role model of all parties. The wins wins with none stop ruling party.
The security in the country is safe, the economy is growing, the stability is smooth and peaceful.
The investors is high, the development growing all over the country, The people happy of living in Cambodia.
The looser may go back home to where they come from with empty seats in the Assembly of ruling.
Samdech Preah Maha Decho Hun Sen is a Cambodian HERO the Sun Of Cambodia, the great grand sun of Hun Tein the King ruling Cambodia.
Down SRP, HRP, Func, Norodom and many others.... Chaos.
Hun Sen he is 3rd grade education with PHD degree,
and he is the Cambodia prime minister, it sound so funny.
Anyway, Cambodia really needs a new prime minister.
When i talk to most Cambodian people, they say that hun sen going to win, they don't have any belief at all, those people just don't care nor they look into the future for their kids. Cambodian people are so selfish, only care about their family just like ah hun sen. Khmer school system is broken, nobody teach kids to share or contribute to community. So, when kids grow up, they only care about their family which is a bad mentality. Hun Sen need to get out of power. That dumb fuck is an idiot.
On Monday July 28th 2008,
Samdech AH JKORT Maha ARCH( shit) Hun Sen will become the nation DETROYER and the MONSTER. The CPP is the NATION SALER of the Cambodia, the LOSER in politics, the DEAD LOCK of the problems solving, the role model of the TIMIDATED to all parties. The wins wins in KILLING INOSENCE with none stop ruling party.
DEAD TO HUN SEN AND ALL IT DOGS
A smling khmer mureder and a viet hunting dog.
Too many too many pride. Instead they should put their pride aside and assists the strongest opposition for the better of cambodia and it's children's future.
May God cambodia, and its weakest.
Cambodian, and cambodia cannot afford another 5 years of vietnamese backed CPP.
judge me not by my look, but by the content of my character, please. best of luck for all political parties and god bless cambodia.
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