Phnom Penh: Cambodia’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led by long-time Prime Minister Hun Sen, has won 120 seats parliamentary largely unopposed general election, according to electoral officials.
The preliminary result of turnout reported from all provincial governor showed that Cambodian People Party (CPP) dominantly outscore its rival which made it occupy 120 seats in the parliament, which percentage of votes won in each province is illustrate in the map. However, the FUNCINPEC, a royalist political party in Cambodia won 5 seats.
It was ultimately effective, with voter turnout reported by the NEC to be 84.58%, far higher than in the 2018 and 2022 election. However, there was an unusually number of spoiled ballots reported in some areas such as Phnom Penh and other provinces.
On Sunday July 23, at the the polls, the Prime Minister Hun Sen held out his ballot for everyone to see before putting it in a silver box and leaving the station, stopping to take selfies and shake hands with supporters outside.
Polls closed at 3:00 pm (0800 GMT) and initial results are expected within hours. NEC confirmed that 8,213,260 people, equal to 84.58%, went to the polls for the 7th National Assembly election in 2023 on Sunday, July 23, 2023.
Counting of ballots began under way Sunday in Cambodia's general election, which long-time leader PM Hun Sen is all but guaranteed to win as he looks to secure his legacy by handing the reins to his eldest son. At age 70, he has suggested he will hand off the premiership during the upcoming five-year term to Hun Manet, perhaps for the next three or four weeks later.
45 years old, Gen. Hun Manet, currently chief of Cambodia's army. He graduated a bachelor's degree from West Point University, the U.S. Military Academy at as well as a master's from NYU and a Ph.D. from Bristol University in Britain.
Over the last 38 years PM Hun Sen build a vibrant multi- party democracy in Cambodia have been flattened under the juggernaut of his rule.
International officials from Russia, China and Guinea-Bissau to watch as PM Hun Sen voted shortly after the polls opened at 7 a.m. Sunday in Kandal which outside of the capital, Phnom Penh.
Guinea-Bissau PM said polling booths are peaceful and in order to the Law.
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.
Citizens appreciate free and fair election process while rights groups have condemned the election.
But in a country that was torn apart within living memory by genocide and war, others said they were happy to vote for stability.
People turning up to the polls in Phnom Penh told the EAC they expected the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to sweep all 125 seats in parliament again.
Has been voting since 1993 until now, Say Sareth was happy to vote for his beloved party to lead the country peacefully and developed.
"When I came to vote, I was happy that I had chosen the right leader to find peace, to develop [….] My will is to help the nation grow and to vote for the leader is like voting for myself for my own well-being," Sareth, 72, told EAC.
Speaking with EAC News, Sec. of State for the Ministry of Interior, Gen. Khieu Sopheak, said there were few reports of any protests against the elections, 37 people were being sought over allegations they called for voters to spoil their ballots in a Telegram chat channel. He said there had been two arrests at polling stations as well.
“Authorities had arrested a number of individuals for causing irregularities at voting stations by spoil the ballot papers.” NEC spokesperson Hang Puthea, told EAC.The election law has been amended to encourage more people to go to the polls, except that those who do not go to the polls will not be able to stand for election or be elected.
