PHNOM PENH: The election commission for the Maldives, the Committee for ASEAN Youth Cooperation (CAYC), and the Asian Youth Council (AYC) released statements on their experiences as observers for Cambodia’s national election on Sunday. The organizations were satisfied with what they had observed and congratulated Cambodia on its path to democracy.

The CAYC and the AYC released a joint statement, where they acknowledged that the National Election Committee (NEC) had briefed them on Cambodian law and regulations prior to observation. They noted that people were orderly and in good spirits when attending the polls and said that the process ran smoothly. They said they were invited to take part in counting votes, which was done manually at the more than 23,000 polling stations today. The organizations finished by congratulating Cambodia on a “transparent, peaceful, free and fair” election.

The Maldives also released a statement with no criticism of the election process. They detailed the process of their observation, which began with witnessing political campaigns before the election. Their delegation checked the ballot box prior to voting and said that Cambodians cast their ballots in a “secret and transparent manner.” Like the AYC and CAYC, the Maldives were impressed with voter turnout, which the NEC unofficially reported was over 84%.

All three organizations highlighted the importance of the Cambodian youth, who “appear to be enthusiastic and happy to take part in the election process,” according to the Maldives. Everyone wished Cambodia development and prosperity as it moves forward in “stability and democracy.”