PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) accepted the official results of the 7th National Assembly Election 2023 upon their announcement. The party says it’s determined to form a new government to strengthen the unity of the whole nation, while it strives to implement its policies announced during campaign season successfully.

Soon after the NEC announced the official election results on the morning of August 5, the CPP issued a statement saying that the results reflected the Cambodian people’s support for the CPP leadership, Prime Minister Hun Sen, future Prime Minister Hun Manet and the desire of the people to ensure peacekeeping and continued development. They said the results reject the hostile actions of a handful of extremist opponents who sought to undermine Cambodia's peace, political stability, and progress by preventing people from voting and instructing them to invalidate their ballots.

The CPP thanked its compatriots for voting overwhelmingly for the party, giving it a clear mandate to lead the country for the next five years. "The Cambodian people clearly understand that a vote for the CPP is a vote for themselves. When the CPP wins the election, the Cambodian people are the winners," the party said.

At the same time, the party expressed its respect and appreciation for the conduct of the election process: the independence, impartiality, transparency and fairness of the National Election Committee and all the armed forces that supported the election process from start to finish.The party also thanked national and international observers who monitored the conduct of the election and the counting of ballots and provided impartial confirmation of the accuracy and transparency of the election. The party also thanked all the friendly countries and international organizations that have always supported the process of democracy and the rule of law in Cambodia in the spirit of noble cooperation.

The statement also addressed countries and international organizations that it says have always undermined the election and the democratic process in Cambodia, saying that they should accept the truth, eliminate their unjust view and show genuine respect for the strong will of Cambodian people with a mature democracy.

The statement included a promise, "We solemnly declare in front of the people that the Royal Government of Cambodia for the 7th legislature of the National Assembly, which will be formed in the near future with His Excellency Dr. Hun Manet as Prime Minister, will continue to strengthen the unity of the whole nation and strive to implement the political program that has already been announced to the compatriots to be fully responsive to the people's trust in the party."

According to the official parliamentary election results announced by the National Election Committee, the CPP received 82.30% of the total votes cast, holding 120 seats in the National Assembly. The other five seats went to royalist party FUNCINPEC.

On August 7, the President of the CPP, PM Hun Sen, will nominate Dr. Hun Manet as the new prime minister and ask the King's permission to allow Dr. Hun Manet to form the Council of Ministers for approval of the National Assembly on August 21.