PHNOM PENH: Preliminary results from the National Election Committee show that out of more than 8.2 million people who went to the polls, about 6.3 million people voted in favor of the Cambodian People's Party on Sunday.
While the CPP lead with 6,398,193 votes, royalist party FUNCINPEC trailed far behind in second place, receiving 716,443, or roughly 9.22% of total votes. The NEC also reported around 440,000 spoiled ballots this election, accounting for roughly 5% of the ballots cast. Prime Minister Hun Sen has stated that he considers invalidated ballots as votes for the opposition when he called for those who had crossed out their ballots to come forward and face legal action under the new election law passed earlier this month.
The ruling Cambodian People's Party, in on track to retain power through the popular vote, and is estimated to control the National Assembly with an overwhelming majority 120 of the 125 parliamentary seats. This is five seats less than the party has held since 2018, having occupied all 125 seats over the last five years and causing some entities to refer to Cambodia as a one-party state.
After the election, the United States, the European Union and Australia were among those to issue statements condemning the Cambodian election. A press release from US Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that Cambodian authorities had engaged in a pattern of threats and harassment against their political opposition, media and civil society prior to the election that “denied the Cambodian people a voice and a choice in determining the future of their country.” As a result, the US said it would be imposing visa restrictions on authorities who “undermined democracy” and suspend some foreign aid programs.
Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ang Sokhoeun told EAC News that the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already issued a meaningful statement in response to the American allegations.
In the July 24 statement, the ministry stated, "The 2023 general election truly reflects the maturity of Cambodia's democracy" and referenced high voter turnout, the large number of “impartial observers”, the election’s adherence to Cambodian law and democratic values, and the inclusion of 18 parties on the ballot. "Cambodia's sovereignty and autonomy must be respected by all outsiders," the statement emphasized.
Ang Sokhoeun said, "The content of the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia is sufficient to respond to the allegations made by the US."
Speaking in an interview with the Chinese media outlet Phoenix News prior to the election, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that Cambodia does not need any country to recognize its election, but that the participation of the people and its accordance with the Cambodian constitution is enough to legitimize the process.
"Elections in an independent, sovereign country only need the people to recognize it and vote in it. That is enough to determine the winner or loser and I hope that in the next five years we will have a positive force for the country's democratic process" he said.
