12-7-2023 (PHNOM PENH) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has taken a significant step to ensure the participation of migrant workers in the upcoming general election by ordering the Phnom Penh Municipality to arrange free buses for their transportation to their hometowns.
In a publicly released voice message, Hun Sen stated, “To facilitate our factory workers’ travel to their hometowns to cast their ballots, I’ve ordered Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng to prepare between 300 and 350 city buses to give them free rides.” He emphasized that this initiative would not only reduce their expenses but also encourage their active participation in the democratic process.
To enable citizens to vote in their hometowns, the government had previously announced that all civil servants and private company employees would be granted paid leave from July 22-24. This timeframe allows individuals enough time to travel and exercise their right to vote.
The general election for the 125-seat National Assembly is scheduled to take place on July 23. The National Election Committee has reported the participation of 18 political parties in the upcoming election, with over 9.7 million eligible voters expected to cast their ballots.
In the previous general election held five years ago, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party secured all 125 seats in the National Assembly.
