• Politics

Cambodia Asks for EU Election Observers

• By Teng Yalirozy
• December 16, 2022 4:41 PM

PHNOM PENH – Cambodia has invited the EU to send observers to monitor the 2023 election after no observers from a group of European states were deployed for the 2022 commune elections and the assistance has been cut off since 2017.

Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn spoke of what he called the notable improvement in democracy in Cambodia at a meeting on Dec. 14 with EU High Representative Josep Borrell in Brussels.

He invited the EU to send observers next year, saying the commune election in June was widely regarded as free and fair with an 80 percent turnout and participation of 17 parties.

Sam Kuntheami, executive director of NECFEC — a civil society organization monitoring elections — said democracy and elections in the country had shown no sign of significant improvement. For this reason, he did not expect the EU would take part in next year’s election.

The EU wanted Cambodia to restore real democracy and ensure a free election after withdrawing election assistance following the dissolution of the opposition CNRP party.

“If our election process is trustworthy and political rights and freedom of expression are opened widely, the EU will engage with us,” he said.

NEC spokesperson Hang Puthea said the election is public and in accordance with the law. International assistance and observers were warmly welcome to monitor the election process.

Cambodia invited the EU observers because the country wants European states to witness the free and fair election and the accuracy of the process.

“Cambodia is not secretive in building democracy towards national development,” he said.

The relationship between Cambodia and the world cannot be segregated. “We also hope that there will be EU observers in the 2023 election,” he said.

Earlier, Puthea told Cambodianess that “Cambodia is a country with territorial integrity, so whether or not we receive assistance is not a problem. Cambodia is still able to carry out the election process in accordance with the law.”

However, Kuntheami said the election process must have involvement from all relevant stakeholders, national and international and political parties.

A country with true democracy wants the international community to be a part of the monitoring, he said.

Prak Sokhonn was in Brussels to accompany Prime Minister​ Hun Sen to co-chair the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit.

Sokhonn also briefed the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen on Cambodia's steady advancements in democracy and elections, emphasizing Cambodia's commitment to uphold and defend the rule of law.

However, Kuntheami said that the 2023 election might not be considered free and fair as there is no opposition party and political rights have not been widely respected.

He pointed to the case of Candlelight Party vice president Son Chhay who lost his appeal for defamation on Dec. 14 and was ordered to pay increased damages to the ruling CPP, the NEC and the government.

“We will wait and see the improvement of the political rights in the future,” Kuntheami said.

After the CNRP was dissolved and opposition leader Kem Sokha was detained in 2017, the EU decided to stop providing support to the NEC.

Hang Puthea said the NEC has not received any international aid for the election, which will take place on July 23. The NEC estimates that organizing the vote will cost $50 million, while 23,760 polling stations are estimated to be set up.