Parties Make Final Push for National Assembly Election
Supporters of FUNCINPEC Party in campaign rally in Phnom Penh. Photo: Ou Sokmean
- By Torn Chanritheara
- July 21, 2023 12:25 PM
PHNOM PENH – Political parties are making a final push to woo voters for seats in Sunday’s general election in which the ruling party is expected to continue its decades in power.
Eighteen parties will compete for 125 National Assembly seats up for grabs in the July 23 election.
Hun Manet, the future prime ministerial candidate for the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led the party’s final rally on July 21 in Phnom Penh where he stands for a parliamentary seat for the first time. His father Prime Minister Hun Sen was not present.
In a speech, Manet said the CPP had been standing side-by-side with people in all circumstances and led the nation through many difficulties.
“A vote for CPP is a vote for oneself,” he said.
“In every election, the CPP always sets out policies and strategies for socio-economic development that are realistic, clear, specific to meet the real needs of the people.”
The ruling party also campaigned across the country on the final day.
Hun Manet, the future prime ministerial candidate for the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led the party’s final rally on July 21 in Phnom Penh where he stands for a parliamentary seat for the first time. Photo: Chhorn Sophat
The royalist FUNCINPEC Party, led by its president Prince Norodom Chakravuth, also made final appeal to voters in the capital.
PM Hun Sen said on July 20 that 333 foreign dignitaries will observe the election. They include PM of Guinea Bissau Nuno Gomes Nabiam and Speaker of Malaysian Parliament Johari Abdul.
Some western countries including the US and France have decided not to send observers, as has the European Union.
Speaking while observing the rallies, National Election Committee (NEC) chairman Prach Chan said the overall situation was smooth and the parties’ campaigns for the last 20 days had been orderly.
“We have seen a better environment from one mandate to another, both in terms of the activities of political parties and our organization, especially in accordance with the rules, regulations, and procedures of the election,” he said.
He said the NEC had received about 40 complaints during the campaign.
