Young activists take to the streets ahead of the Cambodian elections

Young activists take to the streets ahead of the Cambodian elections

ABC (Australia) News | 22 July 2013

 

Cambodia's upcoming elections have been dubbed the "Cambodian Spring", with an unprecedented number of young activists taking to the streets and social media, demanding a change.

More than a third of registered voters are aged between 18 and 30, and the Opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) has the young voters firmly in their sights.

Take a look at some of the social media highlights from the Cambodia campaign

"We are talking about youth who are totally dispirited by the government," senior CNRP candidate Mu Sochua says.

"It is so corrupt that the money for education, for employment, for vocational training for the youth has disappeared. It has gone into the hands of the families of the rich."

A merger with other opposition parties has given the CNRP its best chance at winning the election and toppling Prime Minister Hun Sen's 28-year-rule.

It's campaigning with promises to stamp out corruption, and improve wages and job opportunities.

"What is the future of the youth in Cambodia so far? No jobs," senior CNRP candidate Mu Sochua says.

"Even if there are jobs, the wages are so low it's not living wage. It's almost exploitation."

Social media activism

Cambodia's election roll:

Age 18-30	3,534,673
Age 31-45	3,337,574
Age 46+	2,803,206
Male	4,593,610
Female	5,081,843
Total voters	9,675,453

Source: Cambodia National Election Committee

Crucial to the Opposition's campaign are young voters like Kimsour Lim, a 24-year-old university student with a love for social media.

"I use Facebook to coordinate with the youth to inform them when we are marching for the National Rescue Party," she says.

"Initially the youth, including myself, didn't understand and were not interested in Facebook or politics, but later, I began to understand many problems in our society.

"I always send my friends information through Facebook, because none of the 14 government TV channels support the CNRP."

The ruling Cambodia People's Party is still favoured to win this election because of continuing popularity with the poorer and rural communities.

It's also targeting the growing youth vote, enlisting its own under-30s as part of the CPP Youth movement, to take to Cambodia's streets.

The group has been occupying the corners of Samdech Preash Suramarit Boulevard and Sothear Ros Boulevard in Phnom Penh to distribute campaign material.

"I feel the same as the other youths of CPP," says activist Sreypov.

"Cambodia is now peaceful...we have political stability...we are developing all types of industries. 

"Who is responsible? The CPP."

Another activist, Boros, has been helping out on the social media front.

"All youths, including my CPP members, friends and I are expressing their support through Facebook," he says.

"I think that today the youth have a higher education from universities, through much studying. 

"Therefore they know very clearly that voting for the country and for the position of prime minister is very important for them."