Observers: Cambodia's Pre-Election Mostly Peaceful | Voice of America - English
Foreign observers keeping a close eye on Cambodia's upcoming general elections have reported a more peaceful pre-election period than for previous campaigns. However, rights groups and opposition parties accuse the government of trying to steal the elections through threats and cheating, accusations the government denies.
This is Cambodia's fourth general election since democracy was reintroduced by a United Nations mandate in 1991. Most observers expect theruling Cambodian People's Party led by Prime Minister Hun Sen to sweepto an easy victory. In the past, two-thirds of parliamentarianswere needed to form a government. But a recent change in Cambodia'selection law means that a simple majority of 50 percent plus one arenow all that is needed. That means that for the first time, the ruling CPP is likely to be able to govern without the support of smaller parties. Whilethe run-up to polling day has been more peaceful than in previouselections, it has been marked by a spate of politically motivatedkillings and other alleged abuses, such as vote-buying andintimidation. Kek Galabru, head of the local human rights group Lichadho, says that ruling party activists are threatening voters. "Wecontinue to see intimidation everywhere, everywhere," said Galabru."Like they say: we need your ID to be able to...I don't know what todo, so people are scared. Why they want my ID? Sometimes they come [andsay]: if you join us you will have a good future. If you don't: becareful - look at the land-grabbing etc." Parliamentmember Son Chhay is a spokesman for the main opposition Sam RainsyParty. He accuses the ruling Cambodian People's Party of trying tosteal the election. "If you have a free and fair electionwithout vote-buying, without intimidation, without cheating, I doubtthat the CPP would be able to get more than 30 percent of the vote," saidChhay. "So it's quite a big problem here. We're never going to be ableto have a free and fair election. You know, you can compare Cambodiawith Zimbabwe, if not worse than that." The government deniesthat widespread electoral abuses have occurred, pointing to the reducednumber of politically-motivated killings reported during thepre-election period. Ke Bun Khieng is the Campaign Deputy Director forthe ruling Cambodian People's Party. Khieng says he believesthe campaign to choose party candidates for the fourth term inparliament went smoothly. He says incidents of politically-motivatedviolence were very low and that electoral monitors have reported bigimprovements since the last election. While Internationalmonitors in Cambodia have reported an improved election environmentthis time around, they point to what they call "critical problems" inCambodia, such as the governments monopoly on TV broadcasting. Tom Andrews is a spokesman for the National Democratic Institute which just released a report on the pre-election period. "Cambodiahas made some improvements - I think you have to recognize that," hesaid. "I was here in 1995 and again for the elections in 1998 - thereare clear improvements, That said, are voters in Cambodia getting aclear opportunity to hear all sides in the election, no. Is the rulingparty using the apparatus of power vis-a-vis the government to maximizeit's advantage - yes." With one day to go before voting begins, active campaigning has now come to an end. The government has introduced a 24-hour alcohol ban to coincide with voting which begins early Sunday morning. First results are not expected for a few days.