1-7-2023 (PHNOM PENH) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen officially kicked off the campaign for his ruling party ahead of the upcoming election later this month. However, the poll has faced severe criticism for being a sham due to the exclusion of the main opposition party.
Addressing a crowd in the capital city of Phnom Penh, the 70-year-old leader, who has been in power for 38 years, stood alongside his son, Hun Manet, who is also a candidate in the July 23 elections and widely considered as Hun Sen’s potential successor.
Hun Sen boasted about the achievements of his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), claiming that they have brought peace, socio-economic development, and strengthened democracy in the country. He also emphasized that the rights and freedoms of the people are being respected. Additionally, he pledged to eliminate “hostile circles” that seek to incite national division, social chaos, and political instability.
“The victory of the Cambodian People’s Party means victory for the Cambodian people,” Hun Sen declared to the enthusiastic crowd.
Apart from the CPP, only minor parties with limited funding and popularity will participate in the election. The main opposition party was dissolved in 2017, with many of its members imprisoned on charges of an alleged coup attempt. A new party formed from its remnants was barred in May due to a paperwork discrepancy.
In the previous national election held in 2018, the CPP won every seat after the Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved by a court ruling.
Recently, Hun Sen ordered the parliament to amend the law, stating that anyone who does not vote will be disqualified from contesting future elections. This move effectively eliminates any remaining chances for exiled opposition figures to make a political comeback.
Prominent opposition figure Sam Rainsy has labeled the upcoming election as a sham. The United States has expressed deep concern over the “undemocratic actions” leading up to the polls and announced that it will not send official observers, as many independent Cambodian and international experts deem the electoral process to be neither free nor fair.
Earlier this week, Hun Sen made the switch from Facebook to Telegram, following Meta’s oversight board recommendation to suspend him for six months due to a controversial post. The post warned that those accusing the CPP of buying votes in a previous election could face physical retaliation from CPP supporters.
In response, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications announced that Cambodia would deport a representative of Meta and sever all cooperation with the company, citing concerns over fake accounts, data risks, and lack of transparency. However, on Saturday, Hun Sen backtracked on his previous threat to block Facebook access in the country.
During Hun Sen’s lengthy premiership, political rivals have been imprisoned or forced into exile, critical media outlets have been shut down, and civil dissent has been crushed.
In recent months, he has hinted at the possibility of handing over power to his son, Hun Manet, who serves as the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
At the campaign rally on Saturday, a supporter of the CPP expressed hope that Hun Manet, who received his education in Britain and the United States, would bring new ideas from overseas to contribute to the country’s prosperity.
